Spinoza and the Stoics

Firmin DeBrabander is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Maryland Institute College of Art, USA.

• List of Abbreviations; Introduction; Chapter 1. The Foundation of Perfectionism; A. Pantheism and determinism; B. Vital endeavor and the ground of virtue; C. The diagnosis of the passions; D. A this-worldly salvation; Chapter 2. Psychotherapy and Virtue; A. "What is in my power to do"; B. Agreeing with nature; Chapter 3. The Sociality of Virtue; A. Spinoza's critique of perfectionism; B. "Nothing is more advantageous to man than man"; C. Sociality and the diffusion of enlightenment; Chapter 4. Stoic Political Reason; A. Cosmopolis and political duty; B. The predicament of politics. C. The apotheosis of the free man; Chapter 5. Reason of State; A. State of nature, nature of state; B. Political right and the most natural state; C. The highest form of devotion; D. A liberal politics; Chapter 6. The Philosopher in the State; A. Christ, the Apostles and Solomon: models of public philosophers?; B. Philosophical caution, political interest; Conclusion; Bibliography.

Mentioned in The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 23 2007, volume LIII, No. 29.