Theology & Philosophy

Religion, Freedom, and Citizenship in Spinoza’s “Theological Political Treatise”

ABSTRACT

This conference examined Spinoza's Theological Political Treatise with special attention to the political significance of religion. The conference explored the confrontation between religious traditionalism and secular modernity by returning to one of the key texts of the Enlightenment. Among the issues explored were freedom of religion and political stability; divine and political law; scriptural interpretation; the relationship of faith, reason, and authority; and the roles of church and state.

READING LIST

Conference Readings

Spinoza. Theological-Political Treatise. Translated by Silverthorne, Michael and Israel, Jonathan. Cambridge: University Press, 2007.