Philosophy · Medieval & Early Modern Philosophy
A topic within Medieval & Early Modern Philosophy, itself one of 12 topics in that field and part of Philosophy.
No prior grounding assumed.
On the Improvement of the Understanding
Benedict de Spinoza · 1677
An unfinished early treatise ranking four kinds of knowledge from hearsay to intuitive insight, and setting out a method for reforming the…
Primary sources and full treatments.
Theological-Political Treatise
Benedict de Spinoza · 1670
Argues scripture should be read as a historical human document rather than a source of philosophical truth, and that a state granting freedom of…
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Benedict de Spinoza
An unfinished early treatise ranking four kinds of knowledge from hearsay to intuitive insight, and setting out a method for reforming the understanding so it can reliably reach the highest of the four.
about 65 minutes to readlink checked 17 Sept 2026Benedict de Spinoza
Argues scripture should be read as a historical human document rather than a source of philosophical truth, and that a state granting freedom of thought and worship will be more stable, not less, than one which suppresses it.
link checked 17 Sept 2026Benedict de Spinoza
Derives the nature of God, mind and the good life geometrically from a small set of definitions and axioms, arguing there is only one substance, that everything that exists is a mode of it, and that freedom is understanding this necessity rather than escaping it.
about 6 hours to readlink checked 17 Sept 2026