The Ethics Of Spinoza: The Road to Inner Freedom [Paperback]

Benedict de Spinoza (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

Benedict de Spinoza's Ethics, first published in 1677, constitutes a major systematic critique of the traditional and religious foundations of philosophical thought. In it, Spinoza follows a logical step-by-step format consisting of definitions, axioms, propositions, proofs, and corollaries to create a comprehensive inquiry into the truth about God, nature, and humans' place within the universe. From these broad metaphysical themes, Spinoza derives what he considered to be the highest principles of religion and society and lays out an ethical system in which reason is the supreme value. A seminal contribution to 17th-century rationalism, Spinoza's Ethics refutes the dualism of Rene Descartes and provides a bridge between religion and modern-day psychology. This edition is the translation by R. H. M. Elwes.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677) was a Dutch philosopher who came to be known as one of the great rationalists of the 17th-century. Born into a Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam, Spinoza was excommunicated from this society at age 23. His most famous work, Ethics, was published posthumously; he is also the author of the Theological-Political Treatise, published in 1670. Spinoza's work laid the groundwork for the 18th-century Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism, and has influenced such wide-ranging later thinkers as George Eliot, Freidrich Nietzsche, Immanuel Kant, and Albert Einstein. Antony Ferguson is a native of London, England. Upon leaving Bretton Hall School of Drama, he worked extensively in English regional repertory theaters, most notably playing the lead in Edward II, Don Juan, and Lord Byron in a production of Camino Real for Alan Ayckbourn's theater company. He has appeared several times on London's West End, winning the award for best actor as Jimmy Porter in an award-winning production of Look Back in Anger and playing the lead in The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew by Robert Bolt. Upon moving to New York City, Antony worked Off Broadway, in regional theater, and on national tours, where he specialized in classical theater, and has won several awards for his work. He also has a thriving business in the world of voice-over and is especially fond of narrating audiobooks. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: Citadel; 2nd paperbound; 1957 copyright (Philosophical Library, inc.) edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806505362
• ISBN-13: 978-0806505367
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Introduction to Spinoza, May 4, 2006

By 

Daniel A. Spiro "Author of The Creed Room and... (Bethesda, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Ethics Of Spinoza: The Road to Inner Freedom (Paperback)

As the coordinator of the Washington, D.C. Spinoza Society, I'm often asked what book the Spinoza-novice should read first in order to gain an introduction to his writings. My answer is to begin with Runes's wonderful abridged version of the Ethics. Runes distills Spinoza's various propositions, axioms, scholia and corollaries into a small book of extremely readable prose. The reader is left to marvel at the combination of Spinoza's profound insights, incredible courage and common sense wisdom.

There is plenty of time in life for the Spinoza lover to read the unabridged Ethics and delve into his other masterpieces, such as the Theological-Political Treatise. But how does one get hooked on Spinoza in the first place? That's where Runes comes into the picture. In crafting a book with such simplicity and beauty, Runes beckons his readers to fall in love with Spinoza as perhaps the quintessential sage. Then, once the heart is engaged, the reader can spend many an evening reading the scholia and corollaries to engage the mind.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult but worth it., March 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ethics Of Spinoza: The Road to Inner Freedom (Paperback)

Look in any history of philosophy and Spinoza's Ethics will be described as "one of the most difficult" works in philosophy.

About two years ago I set my self the task of working through Spinoza's geometrical system of God, Mind, Emotions, The Strength of the Emotions, And The Intellect. I tackled it 5 propositions at a time. It was like reading a lease. Very dry, but very important. In short, I loved it, and really not that difficult. (I don't read leases in my spare time).

What I most enjoyed was Spinoza's grappling with the emotions and his focus on intelligent introspection. The end result of this for Spinoza was the happy discovery, arrived at by geometrical proof, that deep down we are good, indeed blessed. This is not wishful thinking, but a meticulous application of logic and the facts. How he does it is amazing, and worth reading

Spinoza's conclusions point the way to a happy life of self-discovery. His broader picture of God lies waiting for others, especially theoretical physicists, to pick up the trail where he left it.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the one hundred or so most brilliant books, November 14, 1999

By 

Jmark2001 (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ethics Of Spinoza: The Road to Inner Freedom (Paperback)

The Ethics of Spinoza is one of the hundred or so most brilliant books ever written. It is also one of the most amazing accomplishments Man has produced. Not easy reading, it is worth working through. By logical argument piled on top of each preceding argument, Spinoza states that "God" is co-equal with the universe (he was a pantheist) and details a remarkable analysis of the emotions and how we can best direct them so as to reach tranquility of mind. He does this all with what must have been an astonishingly powerful mind with rare skills of analysis. The odd structure he chose may not have been the best vehicle for his philosophy but it was based on the then popular Cartesian method. A truly magnificent view of religion, life and the universe. While there have never been many followers of Spinoza's system, its influence has been felt throughout philsophy. This book is a monument to what the human mind is capable of. A landmark in Western civilization.