A Theologico-Political Treatise

Benedict de Spinoza (1632 - 1677)
Translated by R. H. M. Elwes (1853 - )

Written by the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus or Theologico-Political Treatise was one of the most controversial texts of the early modern period. It was a preemptive defense of Spinoza's later work, Ethics, published posthumously in 1677, for which he anticipated harsh criticism. In the treatise, Spinoza put forth his most systematic critique of Judaism, and all organized religion in general. Spinoza argued that theology and philosophy must be kept separate, particularly in the reading of scripture. Whereas the goal of theology is obedience, philosophy aims at understanding rational truth. Scripture does not teach philosophy and thus cannot be made to conform with it, otherwise the meaning of scripture will be distorted. Conversely, if reason is made subservient to scripture, then, Spinoza argues, "the prejudices of a common people of long ago... will gain a hold on his understanding and darken it." He reinterpreted the belief that there were such things as prophecy, miracles, or supernatural occurrences. He argued that God acts solely by the laws of "his own nature". He rejected the view that God had a particular end game or purpose to advance in the course of events; to Spinoza, those who believed so were only creating a delusion for themselves out of fear. (Summary from Wikipedia)

Genre(s): *Non-fiction, Philosophy, Political Science

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Preface Chiquito Crasto
00:21:51
Play 01 Chapter I Chiquito Crasto
00:34:42
Play 02 Chapter II Chiquito Crasto
00:39:19
Play 03 Chapter III Chiquito Crasto
00:36:44
Play 04 Chapter IV Chiquito Crasto
00:29:18
Play 05 Chapter V Chiquito Crasto
00:29:43
Play 06 Chapter VI Chiquito Crasto
00:39:39
Play 07 Chapter VII Part I Chiquito Crasto
00:27:39
Play 08 Chapter VII Part II Chiquito Crasto
00:22:57
Play 09 Chapter VIII Chiquito Crasto
00:28:25
Play 10 Chapter IX Chiquito Crasto
00:30:37
Play 11 Chapter X Chiquito Crasto
00:23:48
Play 12 Chapter XI Chiquito Crasto
00:17:59
Play 13 Chapter XII Chiquito Crasto
00:21:28
Play 14 Chapter XIII Chiquito Crasto
00:14:08
Play 15 Chapter XIV Chiquito Crasto
00:18:01
Play 16 Chapter XV Chiquito Crasto
00:20:53
Play 17 Chapter XVI Chiquito Crasto
00:28:59
Play 18 Chapter XVII Part I Chiquito Crasto
00:26:00
Play 19 Chapter XVII Part II Chiquito Crasto
00:23:58
Play 20 Chapter XVIII Chiquito Crasto
00:17:11
Play 21 Chapter XIX Chiquito Crasto
00:26:07
Play 22 Chapter XX Chiquito Crasto
00:19:56