Spinoza
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Sea battles, beasties in the blood, and the summer of 1665
In the summer and autumn of 1665, a German expatriate in London exchanged a series of fascinating letters with a renegade Dutch Jew. The expatriate was Henry Oldenburg, who was serving as secretary of the newly-formed Royal Society of London. The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge – which, if formed Continue reading
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The one substance in Kingston
I just returned from a small Spinoza conference in Kingston, Ontario. There were about 10 or 11 of us presenters, and a few more who attended all the sessions, so we formed a friendly and animatedly interactive group. Jon Miller was our host, and he did a great job keeping us near a schedule but Continue reading
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Another line from my Spinoza manuscript
But Spinoza’s God requires no such faith, as the one substance is fully fathomable by reason. We enter into “a relationship” with it precisely through our employment of reason, the very same organ allowing us to perform geometrical constructions and produce deductive arguments, as well as recognize the truth of axioms. Rational insight and cogitation Continue reading
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An odd quote from my Spinoza manuscript
“All things are necessitated by God with stark raving geometrical necessity.” I like the ring of that. Continue reading
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Attention Portuguese Spinozists
If the only thing holding you back from ordering a copy of Interpreting Spinoza is that it isn’t in Portuguese, then take heart: I’ve been informed that a translated edition is in the works. Now the book will be in a language Spinoza himself could have read! Continue reading
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Interpreting Spinoza now in paperback
… and a handsome volume it is. I updated the amazon link on the right. Continue reading
Huenemanniac 