(P/B) TRACTATUS THEOLOGICO-POLITICUS

Παρουσίαση

This new and complete translation of Spinoza's famous 17th-century work fills an important gap, not only for all scholars of Spinoza, but also for everyone interested in the relationship between Western philosophy and religion, and the history of biblical exegesis. The existing Elwes translation of 1883 has long been regarded as insufficient by Spinoza scholars for its misleading rendering of the Latin and its many omissions. Samuel Shirley, well-known for his excellent best-selling translation of Spinoza's Ethics, now presents this new, complete translation of Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus in lucid English, which meets the highest standards of modern critical scholarship. The book includes an Index of Subjects and a detailed Index of Biblical References as well as an Introduction by Brad Gregory, which sets Spinoza squarely in the context of his time and intellectual tradition. (From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

Introduction by Brad S. Gregory
Translator's Foreword
BARUCH SPINOZA, TRACTATUS THEOLOGICO-POLITICUS
Preface
1. Of Prophecy
2. Of the Prophets
3. Of the vocation of the Hebrews, and whether the gift of prophecy was peculiar to them
4. Of the Divine Law
5. Of the reason for the institution of ceremonial observances. Belief in the Biblical narratives: in what way and for whom it is necessary
6. Of miracles
7. Of the interpretation of Scripture
8. In which it is shown that the Pentateuch and the Books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel and Kings were not written by themselves. The question of their authorship is considered. Was there one author, or several, and who were they?
9. An enquiry into further matters relating to these same books, namely, whether Ezra gave them a final revision, and whether the marginal notes found in the Hebrew codices were variant readings
10. An examination of the remaining books of the Old Testament by the same method as was used with the previous books
11. An enquiry as to whether the Apostles wrote their Epistles as apostles and prophets, or as teachers. The function of the Apostles is explained
12. Of the true original of the Divine Law. The reason why Scripture is called holy and the Word of God. It is shown that Scripture, in so far as it contains the Word of God, has come down to us uncorrupted
13. It is shown that Scripture teaches only very simple doctrines and inculcates nothing but obedience, and that concerning the nature of God it teaches only what men can imitate by a definite code of conduct
14. An analysis of faith, the faithful, and the fundamental principles of faith. Faith is finally set apart from philosophy 15. It is demonstrated that theology is not ancillary to reason, nor reason to theology. How we are convinced of the authority of Holy Scripture
16. The basis of the state; the natural and civil right of the individual, and the right of sovereigns
17. It is demonstrated that nobody can, or need, transfer all his rights to the sovereign power. An account of the Hebrew state as it was in the time of Moses, and after his death before the institution of monarchy, and its success. Finally, the reasons why it came about that the theocratic state fell, and could scarcely have continued without civil strife
18. From the commonwealth of the Hebrews and their history some political principles are deduced
19. It is shown that the right over matters of religion is vested entirely in the sovereign, and that the external forms of worship should be such as accord with the peace of the commonwealth, if we would serve God aright
20. It is shown that in a free commonwealth every man may think as he pleases, and say what he thinks
Index of Biblical References
References to Classical Authors
General Index