Spinoza on Philosophy, Religion, and Politics : The Theologico-Political Treatise

## Abstract Susan James offers an interpretation of a work that is itself about interpretation Spinoza's Theologico‐Political Treatise. By setting the Treatise in its seventeenth‐century Dutch context, and identifying the wide range of philosophical, theological, hermeneutic, historical, and political debates to which Spinoza was responding, she elucidates the character of his argument and the ends it was designed to achieve. Although the Treatise engages with many opponents, the most central because most powerful were the conservative theologians of the Dutch Reformed Church and their political allies, who continued to oppose Cartesian philosophy throughout Spinoza's lifetime, and resisted what was known as the freedom to philosophize. Appealing both to philosophical arguments that he develops in more detail in the Ethics, and to a theory of biblical interpretation, Spinoza aims to comprehensively discredit the Church's theological doctrines. At the same time, he sets out to undercut its political commitment to a mixed constitution where power is divided between secular and religious authorities. In the United Provinces, Spinoza claims, the best way to secure freedom is to uphold a republican form of government in which the people are sovereign, and where, within certain limits, individuals are free to worship and philosophize as they wish. At first glance, the sinuous argument of the Treatise appears to lack unity, and many commentators focus on one part of it at the expense of others. Once its context is taken into account, however, it emerges as an integrated defence of philosophical, religious, and political freedom, firmly situated within the framework of Spinoza's philosophical system. Cover 1 Contents 10 Introduction 12 1. Spinoza鈥檚 Project 18 Superstition 25 Cultivating true religion and political freedom 37 Revelation 46 2. The Meaning of Prophecy 48 Interpreting Scripture by Scripture 55 The limits of revealed knowledge 60 Prophecy and moral knowledge 71 3. What Divine Law Is Not 77 God and his chosen people 78 The means to salvation 86 4. What Divine Law Is 94 Defining law 96 Defining divine law 102 Defining natural divine law 110 Defining revealed law 116 5. Worship 122 Ceremonies: their character 123 Ceremonies: their use and abuse 130 Biblical narratives 135 Miracles 141 Demystifying the Bible 148 6. The Meaning of Scripture 150 Interpreting the Bible 155 Situating a proper interpretative method 165 7. Putting the Interpretative Method to Work 172 The authors of the Old Testament 175 The authenticity of the text 182 Preaching and prophesying 190 Interpreting the divine word 194 Meeting the Demands of a Religious Life 196 8. True Religion 198 Philosophy and the law 207 Defining faith 215 The tenets of the universal faith 218 9. Theology and Philosophy 226 Divide and conquer 227 An unequal relationship 232 Shedding theology 239 The Politics of True Religion 242 10. Life in a Republic: The Lessons of Philosophy 244 The state of nature 246 The state 254 Contract 259 Sovereign and subject 262 Resistance 269 11. Life in a Republic: The Lessons of Theology 272 Founding a theocracy 280 Maintaining the integrity of the law 286 Learning from history 293 12. Sovereignty and Freedom 301 Civil and religious right 305 Free thought, speech, and action 314 Freedom in the state 326 Bibliography 331 Index 350 A 350 B 350 C 351 D 351 E 352 F 353 G 353 H 353 I 354 J 354 K 354 L 354 M 355 N 355 O 356 P 356 Q 356 R 356 S 357 T 358 U 358 V 358 W 359 Y 359 Z 359 "Spinoza's Theologico-Political Treatise is simultaneously a work of philosophy and a piece of practical politics. It defends religious pluralism, a republican form of political organisation, and the freedom to philosophise, with a determination that is extremely rare in seventeenth-century thought. But it is also a fierce and polemical intervention in a series of Dutch disputes over issues about which Spinoza and his opponents cared very deeply. Susan James makes the arguments of the Treatise accessible, and their motivations plain, by setting them in their historical and philosophical context. She identifies the interlocking theological, hermeneutic, historical, philosophical, and political positions to which Spinoza was responding, shows who he aimed to discredit, and reveals what he intended to achieve. The immediate goal of the Treatise is, she establishes, a local one. Spinoza is trying to persuade his fellow citizens that it is vital to uphold and foster conditions in which they can cultivate their capacity to live rationally, free from the political manifestations and corrosive psychological effects of superstitious fear. At the same time, however, his radical argument is designed for a broader audience. Appealing to the universal philosophical principles that he develops in greater detail in his Ethics, and drawing on the resources of imagination to make them forceful and compelling, Spinoza speaks to the inhabitants of all societies, including our own. Only in certain political circumstances is it possible to philosophise, and learn to live wisely and well."--Publisher's description Spinoza's Theologico-political Treatise Is Simultaneously A Work Of Philosophy And A Piece Of Practical Politics. It Defends Religious Pluralism, A Republican Form Of Political Organization, And The Freedom To Philosophize, With A Determination That Is Extremely Rare In Seventeenth-century Thought. But It Is Also A Fierce And Polemical Intervention In A Series Of Dutch Disputes Over Issues About Which Spinoza And His Opponents Cared Very Deeply. Introduction. Spinoza's Project -- Revelation. The Meaning Of Prophecy -- What Divine Law Is Not -- What Divine Law Is -- Worship -- Demystifying The Bible. The Meaning Of Scripture -- Putting The Interpretative Method To Work -- Meeting The Demands Of A Religious Life. True Religion -- Theology And Philosophy -- The Politics Of True Religion. Life In A Republic : The Lessons Of Philosophy -- Life In A Republic : The Lessons Of Theology -- Sovereignty And Freedom. Susan James. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [320]-338) And Index.