A Theologico-political Treatise And A Political Treatise

, by Spinoza, Benedict de; Elwes, R. H. M.; Cordasco, Francesco

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ISBN: 9780486437224 | 0486437221
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 11/10/2004

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Two important works by one of philosophy's most original and penetrating thinkers appear in this volume. Spinoza's "A Theologico-Political Treatise" presents an eloquent plea for religious liberty, demonstrating that true religion consists of the practice of simple piety, independent of philosophical speculation. He examines the Bible at length to show that freedom of thought and speech are consistent with the religious life. In the unfinished "A Political Treatise," the author develops a theory of government founded on common consent.

INTRODUCTION

Original unpopularity of Spinoza's writings, their gradually increasing influence in Germany, France, Holland, and England

Authorities for the life of Spinoza: Colerus, &c

Birth, 1634, and education of Spinoza

His breach with the synagogue, 1656

xii

Life near Amsterdam and at Rhijnsburg

xiii

Friendship with Simon de Vries

xiv

Removal to Voorburg and the Hague

Correspondence with Oldenburg, Leibnitz, Tschirnhausen, and others. Publication of Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, 1670

xvi

Massacre of the De Witts, 1672. Indignation and danger of Spinoza

xvii

Completion of the Ethics, 1674

xviii

Later life of Spinoza

xviii

Death and burial, February, 1677

Opera Posthuma published 1677

xxi

Sketch of Spinoza's philosophy

xxi

Scope of the present work

xxxii

TREOLOGICO-POLITICAL TREATISE

(278)

Preface

(10)

Origin and consequences of superstition

(3)

Causes that have led the author to write

(2)

Course of his investigation

(3)

For what readers the treatise is designed. Submission of author to the rulers of his country

(2)

Chap. I. Of Prophecy

(14)

Definition of prophecy

(2)

Distinction between revelation to Moses and to the other prophets

(4)

Between Christ and all other recipients of revelation

(1)

Ambiguity of the word " Spirit"

(1)

The different senses in which things may be referred to God

(2)

Different senses of " Spirit of God"

(2)

Prophets perceived revelation by imagination

(3)

Chap. II. Of Prophets

(16)

A mistake to suppose that prophecy can give knowledge of phenomena

(2)

Certainty of prophecy based on (1) Vividness of Imagination, (2) A Sign, (3) Goodness of the Prophet

(1)

Variation of prophecy with the temperament and opinions of the individual

(13)

Chap. III. Of the Vocation of the Hebrews, and whether the Gift of Prophecy was peculiar to them

(14)

Happiness of Hebrews did not consist in the inferiority of the Gentiles

(2)

Nor in philosophic knowledge or virtue

(1)

But in their conduct of affairs of state and escape from political dangers

(2)

Even this distinction did not exist in the time of Abraham

(1)

Testimony from the Old Testament itself to the share of the Gentiles in the law and favour of God

(4)

Explanation of apparent discrepancy of the Epistle to the Romans

(1)

Answer to the arguments for the eternal election of the Jews

(3)

Chap. IV. Of the Divine Law

(12)

Laws either depend on natural necessity or on human decree. The existence of the latter not inconsistent with the former class of laws

(2)

Divine law a kind of law founded on human decree: called Divine from its object

(2)

Divine law (1) universal; (2) independent of the truth of any historical narrative; (3) independent of rites and ceremonies;(4) its own reward

(1)

Reason does not present God as a law-giver for men

(1)

Such a conception a proof of ignorance-in Adam-in the Israelites-in Christians

(2)

Testimony of the Scriptures in favour of reason and the rational view of the Divine law

(4)

Chap. V. Of the Ceremonial Law

(12)

Ceremonial law of the Old Testament no part of the Divine universal law, but partial and temporary. Testimony of the prophets themselves to this

(3)

Testimony of the New Testament

(1)

How the ceremonial law tended to preserve the Hebrew kingdom

(3)

Christian rites on a similar footing

(1)

What part of the Scripture narratives is one bound to believe?

(5)

Chap. VI. Of Miracles

(17)

Confused ideas of the vulgar on the subject

(1)

A miracle in the sense of a contravention of natural laws an absurdity

(1)

In the sense of an event, whose cause is unknown, less edifying than an event better understood

(8)

God's providence identical with the course of nature

(3)

How Scripture miracles may be interpreted

(6)

Chap. VII. Of the Interpretation of Scripture

(22)

Current systems of interpretation erroneous

(2)

Only true system to interpret it by itself

100

(8)

Reasons why this system cannot now be carried out in its entirety

108

(5)

Yet these difficulties do not interfere with our understanding the plainest and most important passages

113

(1)

Rival systems examined-that of a supernatural faculty being necessary-refuted

114

(1)

That of Maimonides

114

(2)

Refuted

116

(2)

Traditions of the Pharisees and the Papists rejected

118

(2)

Chap. VIII. Of the authorship of the Pentateuch, and the other historical books of the Old Testament

120

(13)

The Pentateuch not written by Moses

120

(4)

His actual writings distinct

124

(3)

Traces of late authorship in the other historical books

127

(2)

All the historical books the work of one man

129

(1)

Probably Ezra

130

(1)

Who compiled first the book of Deuteronomy

131

(1)

And then a history, distinguishing the books by the names of their subjects

132

(1)

Chap. IX. Other questions about these books

133

(13)

That these books have not been thoroughly revised and made to agree

133

(6)

That there are many doubtful readings

139

(1)

That the existing marginal notes are often such

140

(1)

The other explanations of these notes refuted

141

(4)

The hiatus

145

(1)

Chap. X. An Examination of the remaining books of the Old Testament according to the preceding method

146

(11)

Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs

146

(1)

Isaiah, Jeremiah

147

(1)

Ezekiel, Hosea

148

(1)

Other prophets, Jonah, Job

149

(1)

Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

150

(6)

The author declines to undertake a similar detailed examination of the New Testament

156

(1)

Chap. XI An Inquiry whether the Apostles wrote their Epistles as Apostles and Prophets, or merely as Teachers, and an Explanation of what is meant by an Apostle

157

(8)

The epistles not in the prophetic style

157

(2)

The Apostles not commanded to write nor to preach in particular places

159

(4)

Different methods of teaching adopted by the Apostles

163

(2)

Chap. XII. Of the true Original of the Divine Law, and where-fore Scripture is called Sacred, and the Word of God. How that, in so far as it contains the Word of God, it has come down to us uncorrupted

165

(10)

Chap. XIII. It is shown, that Scripture teaches only very Simple Doctrines, such as suffice for right conduct

175

(7)

Error in speculative doctrine not impious-nor knowledge pious. Piety consists in obedience

180

(2)

Chap. XIV. Definitions of Faith, the True Faith, and the Foundations of Faith, which is once for all separated from Philosophy

182

(8)

Danger resulting from the vulgar idea of faith

182

(2)

The only test of faith obedience and good works

184

(2)

As different men are disposed to obedience by different opinions, universal faith can contain only the simplest doctrines

186

(3)

Fundamental distinction between faith and philosophy-the key-stone of the present treatise

189

(1)

Chap. XV. Theology is shown not to be subservient to Reason, nor Reason to neology: a Definition of the reason which enables us to accept the Authority of the Bible

190

(10)

Theory that Scripture must be accommodated to Reason-maintained by Maimonides-already refuted in Chapter VII

190

(1)

Theory that Reason must be accommodated to Scripture -maintained by Alpakhar-examined

191

(3)

And refuted

194

(1)

Scripture and Reason independent of one another

195

(1)

Certainty of fundamental faith not mathematical but moral

196

(2)

Great utility of Revelation

198

(2)

Chap. XVI. Of the Foundations of a State; of the Natural and Civil Rights of Individuals; and of the Rights of the Sovereign Power

200

(14)

In Nature right co-extensive with power

200

(1)

This principle applies to mankind in the state of Nature

201

(2)

How a transition from this state to a civil state is possible

203

(3)

Subjects not slaves

206

(1)

Definition of private civil right-and wrong

207

(1)

Of alliance

208

(1)

Of treason

209

(1)

In what sense sovereigns are bound by Divine law

210

(1)

Civil government not inconsistent with religion

211

(3)

Chap. XVII. It is shown, that no one can or need transfer all his Rights to the Sovereign Power. Of the Hebrew Republic, as it was during the lifetime of Moses, and after his death till the foundation of the Monarchy; and of its Excellence. Lastly, of the Causes why the Theocratic Republic fell, and why it could hardly have continued without Dissension

214

(23)

The absolute theory of Sovereignty ideal-No one can in fact transfer all his rights to the Sovereign power. Evidence of this

214

(2)

The greatest danger in all States from within, not without

216

(2)

Original independence of the Jews after the Exodus

218

(1)

Changed first to a pure democratic Theocracy

219

(1)

Then to subjection to Moses

220

(1)

Then to a Theocracy with the power divided between the high priest and the captains

221

(3)

The tribes confederate States

224

(2)

Restraints on the civil power

226

(2)

Restraints on the people

228

(4)

Causes of decay involved in the constitution of the Levitical priesthood

232

(5)

Chap. XVIII. From the Commonwealth of the Hebrews and their History certain Lessons are deduced

237

(8)

The Hebrew constitution no longer possible or desirable, yet lessons may be derived from its history

237

(4)

As the danger of entrusting any authority in politics to ecclesiastics-the danger of identifying religion with dogma

241

(1)

The necessity of keeping all judicial power with the sovereign -the danger of changes in the form of a State

242

(1)

This last danger illustrated from the history of England-of Rome

243

(1)

And of Holland

244

(1)

Chap. XIX. It is shown that the Right over Matters Spiritual lies wholly with the Sovereign, and that the Outward Forms of Religion should be in accordance with Public Peace, if we would worship God aright

245

(12)

Difference between external and inward religion

245

(1)

Positive law established only by agreement

246

(3)

Piety furthered by peace and obedience

249

(1)

Position of the Apostles exceptional

250

(4)

Why Christian States, unlike the Hebrew, suffer from disputes between the civil and ecclesiastical powers

254

(2)

Absolute power in things spiritual of modern rulers

256

(1)

Chap. XX. That in a Free State every man may Think what he Likes, and Say what he Minks

257

(10)

The mind not subject to State authority

257

(1)

Therefore in general language should not be

258

(1)

A man who disapproving of a law, submits his adverse opinion to the judgment of the authorities, while acting in accordance with the law, deserves well of the State

259

(5)

That liberty of opinion is beneficial, shown from the history of Amsterdam

264

(1)

Danger to the State of withholding it.-Submission of the Author to the judgment of his country's rulers

265

(2)

AUTHOR'S NOTES TO THE TREATISE

267

(12)

A POLITICAL TREATISE

279

(110)

Extract from the Preface to Opera Posthuma

281

(2)

Contents

283

(4)

I. Introduction

287

(4)

II. Of Natural Right

291

(10)

III. Of the Right of Supreme Authorities

301

(8)

IV. Of the Functions of Supreme Authorities

309

(4)

V. Of the Best State of a Dominion

313

(3)

VI. Of Monarchy

316

(11)

VII. Of Monarchy. Continuation

327

(18)

VIII. Of Aristocracy

345

(25)

IX. Of Aristocracy. Continuation

370

(8)

X. Of Aristocracy. Conclusion

378

(7)

XI. Of Democracy

385

(4)

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

389

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A Theologico-political Treatise And A Political Treatise

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