A book forged in hell : Spinoza's scandalous treatise and the birth of the secular age
(Book)

Nadler (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison) shows, for a general audience, why Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670) evoked such opposition from contemporary religious and political leaders. Nadler places Spinoza and his book in their historical context, explains the issues that were at stake, and discusses the book's subsequent influence. Persons interested in the history of political liberalism, modern Judaism, biblical interpretation, and early modern philosophy will welcome this excellent book. This reviewer has only three minor gripes. First, an explanation would be useful as to why some philosophers of science disagree with Spinoza's assertion that natural laws are universal, necessary, and invariant. Second, it should be noted that most historical critics do not share Spinoza's belief that Ezra was the chief redactor of the Torah. Finally, Spinoza champions freedom of speech but believes that governments may prohibit malicious falsehoods or conspiracies. Nadler suggests an absolutist position that forbids any prohibition of speech. Nevertheless, the absolutist position--which would allow slander, libel, and conspiracies--is not credible. Spinoza correctly believed that some speech should be prohibited. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. J. M. Fritzman Lewis & Clark College

In a work that Leibniz denounced as intolerably licentious. Nadler sees the indispensable charter for secular democracy premised on toleration and liberty. But clarifying that charter requires a probing look at its controversial author, Baruch de Spinoza, and his times. Though Spinoza's Ethics have received considerable attention from modern philosophers interested in its metaphysics and epistemology, the work so heatedly denounced by Leibniz has received little modern attention. Nadler here remedies that neglect, exploring the daring themes of Spinoza and explaining why those themes initially provoked a fierce backlash but eventually pushed all of Western Europe toward Enlightenment skepticism. In particular, readers may examine the reasoning Spinoza unfolds as he systematically scours Scripture of miracle and divinity, undermining ecclesiastical authority with his subversive new religion of natural ethics and humane freedom. As an intellectual heir of the freethinkers that Spinoza emboldened, Nadler admires the heterodox philosopher with a fervor that few conservative and religious readers will share. Still, this is a groundbreaking analysis of an incendiary text.--Christensen, Bryce Copyright 2010 Booklist

In this clearly written and accessible book, Nadler (philosophy, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Spinoza: A Life) offers up a historical and philosophical analysis of Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise (1670). While Spinoza's later Ethics is better known, Nadler explains that the Treatise is a much more "passionate, even angry" work that offers great insight into Spinoza's controversial theories regarding the impossibility of miracles, the Bible as a work of literature, and the importance of liberty and freedom of ideas in a society. Each chapter not only focuses on sections of the Treatise but also explains the historical context of the Treatise and why many saw it as such a dangerous and corrupting book. VERDICT In the preface, Nadler explains that he hopes to bring the Treatise to a new audience of general readers as well as academics. He has definitely succeeded in writing an extremely rewarding and engaging book. Highly recommended both for readers who have read Nadler's other books on Spinoza and for those who have never read the Treatise or are new to Spinoza.-Scott Duimstra, Capital Area Dist. Lib., Lansing, MI (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In a work that Leibniz denounced as "intolerably licentious," Nadler sees the indispensable charter for secular democracy premised on toleration and liberty. But clarifying that charter requires a probing look at its controversial author, Baruch de Spinoza, and his times. Though Spinoza's Ethics have received considerable attention from modern philosophers interested in its metaphysics and epistemology, the work so heatedly denounced by Leibniz has received little modern attention. Nadler here remedies that neglect, exploring the daring themes of Spinoza and explaining why those themes initially provoked a fierce backlash but eventually pushed all of Western Europe toward Enlightenment skepticism. In particular, readers may examine the reasoning Spinoza unfolds as he systematically scours Scripture of miracle and divinity, undermining ecclesiastical authority with his subversive new religion of natural ethics and humane freedom. As an intellectual heir of the freethinkers that Spinoza emboldened, Nadler admires the heterodox philosopher with a fervor that few conservative and religious readers will share. Still, this is a groundbreaking analysis of an incendiary text. Copyright 2011 Booklist Reviews.

In this clearly written and accessible book, Nadler (philosophy, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Spinoza: A Life) offers up a historical and philosophical analysis of Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise (1670). While Spinoza's later Ethics is better known, Nadler explains that the Treatise is a much more "passionate, even angry" work that offers great insight into Spinoza's controversial theories regarding the impossibility of miracles, the Bible as a work of literature, and the importance of liberty and freedom of ideas in a society. Each chapter not only focuses on sections of the Treatise but also explains the historical context of the Treatise and why many saw it as such a dangerous and corrupting book. VERDICT In the preface, Nadler explains that he hopes to bring the Treatise to a new audience of general readers as well as academics. He has definitely succeeded in writing an extremely rewarding and engaging book. Highly recommended both for readers who have read Nadler's other books on Spinoza and for those who have never read the Treatise or are new to Spinoza.—Scott Duimstra, Capital Area Dist. Lib., Lansing, MI