God, Man, and Well-Being

This book explores the seventeenth-century philosopher Spinozas modernist humanism. There is little doubt that Spinoza was one of the principle founders of modernity, but his modernism is often thought to come at the expense of a humanism. Drawing attention to Spinozas humanism, this book concentrates on politics, ethics, and psychology in order to understand Spinozas conception of the human being, and why that conception endures into our own time with particular relevance. This introduction to Spinozas thought proceeds in a reverse order from the usual treatment: rather than beginning with a consideration of Spinozas metaphysics, the discussion culminates in an exploration of those concepts. In this way, this book is a deeper examination of what Spinoza himself thought, and allows the reader to consider more fully Spinozas wider philosophy.