Theologico-Political Treatise — Part 1 by Benedictus de Spinoza

Read now or download (free!)

Choose how to read this book Url Size
Read online (web) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.html.images 204 kB
EPUB3 (E-readers incl. Send-to-Kindle) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.epub3.images 153 kB
EPUB (older E-readers) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.epub.images 152 kB
EPUB (no images, older E-readers) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.epub.noimages 144 kB
Kindle https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.kf8.images 293 kB
older Kindles https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.kindle.images 282 kB
Plain Text UTF-8 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/989.txt.utf-8 194 kB
Download HTML (zip) https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/989/pg989-h.zip 143 kB
There may be more files related to this item.

About this eBook

Author Spinoza, Benedictus de, 1632-1677
Translator Elwes, R. H. M. (Robert Harvey Monro), 1853-
Title Theologico-Political Treatise — Part 1
Note Reading ease score: 52.6 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
Credits Joseph B. Yesselman. HTML version by Al Haines.
Summary "The Theologico-Political Treatise — Part 1" by Benedictus de Spinoza is a philosophical treatise written in the 17th century, engaging with issues surrounding religion, prophecy, and the role of divine authority in political matters. The opening chapters establish a framework for understanding prophecy, the nature of divine law, and the peculiar relationship between the Hebrews and God. Spinoza argues for a rational interpretation of religion, suggesting that many traditional beliefs are rooted in superstition rather than reason. The opening of the treatise presents Spinoza's exploration of prophecy, where he delineates its definition, the nature of prophets, and the distinction between true prophecy and mere imagination or superstition. He emphasizes that insights and revelations provided to prophets do not grant them greater wisdom but are influenced by their personal perspectives and emotions. Moreover, he questions whether the gift of prophecy was unique to the Hebrews, asserting that true divine revelation arises from understanding and moral living, rather than knowledge or intellect. This analysis prompts readers to reconsider traditional thoughts surrounding religious belief and political authority, inviting an approach grounded in reason and critical thought. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
Subject Philosophy and religion -- Early works to 1800
Subject Free thought -- Early works to 1800
Subject Political science -- Early works to 1800
Category Text
EBook-No. 989
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 6, 2021
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 333 downloads in the last 30 days.
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!