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Theologico-Political Treatise — Part 1

Benedictus de Spinoza

  • Essays
  • Book language: English
  • 71 pages

This first part is a collection of philosophical essays in which Spinoza examines prophecy, prophets, and the vocation of the Hebrews, along with the relation between faith and reason. The treatise argues for free philosophizing and for interpreting Scripture in the light of reason, making it valuable for understanding the roots of modern secular thought.

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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.

Opening of the book

Sentence Numbers, shown thus (1), have been added by volunteer.

A Theologico-Political Treatise

Part 1 - Chapters I to V

Baruch Spinoza

A Theologico-Political Treatise

Part 1 - Chapters I to V

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

PREFACE.

Origin and consequences of superstition.

Causes that have led the author to write.

Course of his investigation.

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

his country.

CHAPTER I - Of Prophecy.

Definition of prophecy.

Distinction between revelation to Moses and to the other prophets.

Between Christ and other recipients of revelation.

Ambiguity of the word "Spirit."

The different senses in which things may be referred to God.

Different senses of "Spirit of God."

Prophets perceived revelation by imagination.

CHAPTER II - Of Prophets.

A mistake to suppose that prophecy can give knowledge of phenomena

Certainty of prophecy based on:

(1) Vividness of imagination,

(2) A Sign,

(3) Goodness of the Prophet.

Variation of prophecy with the temperament and opinions of the individual.

CHAPTER III - Of the Vocation of the Hebrews,

and whether the Gift of Prophecy was peculiar to them.

Happiness of Hebrews did not consist in the inferiority of the Gentile.

Nor in philosophic knowledge or virtue.

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Contents

  1. A Theologico-Political Treatise
  2. PREFACE.
  3. CHAPTER I. - Of Prophecy
  4. CHAPTER II. - OF PROPHETS.
  5. CHAPTER III. OF THE VOCATION OF THE HEBREWS, AND WHETHER THE GIFT OF PROPHECY WAS PECULIAR TO THEM.
  6. CHAPTER IV. - OF THE DIVINE LAW.
  7. CHAPTER V. - OF THE CEREMONIAL LAW.
  8. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE

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