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Spinoza

On the Unity of Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus by Paul Bagley

On the Unity of Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus by Paul Bagley

April 25, 1995
Power, Politics and Religion in Spinoza’s Political Thought

Power, Politics and Religion in Spinoza’s Political Thought

April 25, 1995
In this essay we seek to discuss the relationship between religion and politics in the political theory of Spinoza. Since Spinoza's politics is grounded in power, we must make an effort to understand the contribution both politics and religion make to the power of the state. In this connection our starting point is not one of arguing that Spinoza first seeks to undermine religion for the sake of some secular project. Rather, Spinoza saw religion as a necessary feature of political life. The problem then becomes one of reconciling some of the central features of religion with those of politics. This process of reconciliation alters the character of both religion and politics, and we outline the elements of that alteration. The concepts of justice and charity play a critical role in this process. We also examine the way in which piety and salvation are reconstituted. Finally, some speculation on the implications of a transformed religion and politics are noted at the end of this essay.
The Histories and Successes of the Hebrews: The Demise of the Biblical Polity in Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise

The Histories and Successes of the Hebrews: The Demise of the Biblical Polity in Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise

April 25, 1995
Here it happens that human beings in their Chronicles and histories narrate their own opinions rather than the very things enacted, and that one and the same incident is nar rated so differently by two human beings who have different opinions that they seem to be speaking of two incidents, and finally that it is often not very difficult to investigate the opinions of the Chronographers and historians from the histories alone.
The Use and Abuse of the Bible in Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus by Harvey Shulman

The Use and Abuse of the Bible in Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus by Harvey Shulman

April 25, 1995
Reading the Bible with Spinoza by George Gross

Reading the Bible with Spinoza by George Gross

April 25, 1995
Spinoza and the Bible

Spinoza and the Bible

April 25, 1995