Spinoza: A Very Short Introduction

Benedict de Spinoza (1632-77) was at once the father of the Enlightenment and the last guardian of the medieval world. In his synthesis of geometrical method, religious sentiment, and secular science, he attempted to reconcile the conflicting moral and intellectual demands of his epoch, and to present a vision of humanity as simultaneously bound by necessity and eternally free. In this book, Roger Scruton presents an analysis of Spinoza's thought, and shows its relevance to today's intellectual preoccupations.

Review from previous edition 'an interesting and provocative guide', 'His exposition is beautifully lucid.'

Roger Scruton was Lecturer in Philosophy 1971-79, Reader 1979-85, and Professor of Aesthetics 1985-92 at Birkbeck College, University of London.