Don't laugh, don't complain about your fate, don't curse, but understand... Spinoza. This profound statement by Spinoza holds great wisdom. Laughing may sometimes be inappropriate or unhelpful in certain situations. Complaining about fate often leads to a negative mindset and doesn't change the circumstances. Cursing only adds to the toxicity. Instead, we should strive to understand. Understanding the nature of things, the reasons behind events, and the perspectives of others can bring us greater peace and clarity. It allows us to approach life's challenges with a more rational and composed attitude. By following Spinoza's advice, we can cultivate a more positive and enlightened way of living.

The founder of the Religious Science movement, Ernest Holmes, was a civil servant. He combined numerous religious traditions to form a significant current within the New Thought movement. His sources included Ralph Waldo Emerson, that American separatist, and Madame Blavatsky, who herself compiled older and even ancient religious traditions.

Those who met Holmes in his later years found him still fixated on fundamental questions. He was known to approach complete strangers with the urgent plea, "Do you believe God is all that there is?"

After reading this highly accessible book by Goldstein, I understand where Holmes got this question, although it surely wasn't new with Spinoza, who believed that God is inseparable from the rest of creation.

It has long been evident to me that if the Big Bang truly occurred as they claim, and if, as the first verse of Genesis states, in the beginning was God and only God, there is no reason to believe that the creator and creation are in any way separate, with one having emerged entirely from the other.

In other words, a Chevrolet is just as much a creation of God and an integral part of God as a beaver dam.

Discuss among yourselves.

The world is an all-encompassing web of necessary truths, completely intelligible. Our own individual salvation lies in knowing this.

Goldstein pens a profoundly engaging biography of Spinoza. It centers around his complex identity as a first-generation Dutch Jew of Sephardic/Portuguese origin. He apostatized from his faith and was excommunicated from his community. His radical rationalism replaced any need for religious dogma. From logic, he derived a whole system of being, which Goldstein describes in exquisite detail. She weaves her own relationship with Spinoza's philosophy into his biography. She describes her yeshiva teacher warning of his apostasy and her years of teaching his Ethics in a class on 17th-century rationality. Her illuminating descriptions of the state of Jewish thought during the 17th century, especially among the Dutch Jewry, were crucial in imagining how Spinoza might have developed his beautifully poetic philosophical system.

Spinoza's story is not just about his individual beliefs and actions but also about the context in which he lived. Goldstein's exploration of this context adds depth and richness to her biography, making it a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, history, or the human condition.

This is an excellent biography of Spinoza that masterfully incorporates various elements. It delves into the philosophical, historical, and psychological aspects, both communal and personal. It explores the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish community and their recent transformation from hidden religious practitioners in Portugal to open Jewish orthodoxy in liberal Dutch Amsterdam. This sets the stage perfectly to examine how and why Spinoza chose to abandon his faith and write his much-scorned book that introduced the secular and atheistic modern world. Goldstein is truly remarkable, a unique thinker. Her choice of topics showcases her sophistication in all intellectual matters,涵盖逻辑和情感领域. She is a person who has endured it all and writes what ought to be written, not just what could be written. She combines fluid philosophy with questions and solutions regarding life's meaning and ideas of religious salvation into a single work that somehow champions both secular philosophy and honest religious experiences. Goldstein's unique secular/religious/emotional style merits more attention. Her voice is one of profound brilliance combined with deep tolerance and understanding, making her views and style crucial not only in today's times but for all times.

The title of the book implies the following question (hinted at but not directly asked): By engaging in traditional religious experiences despite a commitment to Spinoza's philosophy and the associated notions of pure reason and the resulting scientific perspective, have we betrayed Spinozism? The question is open-ended, but I would clearly state that the answer is and must be no. Since the world is infinite and we are finite, Spinoza acknowledges that we can never fully know our universe. Given this, all human experiences, to the extent they are not contradicted by what we do know, are valid. It is worth a read and not overly difficult.

Put this on the shelf for a while.

At that moment, I just needed to take a break and let it rest there. It was like a small pause in the flow of time.

Now I am ready to read it.

The anticipation is building up inside me. I wonder what lies within those pages. Will it be a captivating story that takes me on a journey to another world? Or perhaps it will be a thought-provoking piece that makes me reflect on my own life.

As I reach for the book, I can feel the excitement coursing through my veins. I am eager to immerse myself in its words and let the magic of literature unfold before my eyes.

With a deep breath, I open the cover and begin to read, ready to embark on this new adventure.

Reluctantly, I finally gave in to the great pressure and harassment and read this book - a long story. However, I have to admit that I actually enjoyed the experience. First of all, being introduced to Spinoza's philosophy through Rebecca Goldstein's perspectives is about as painless as it can be. She presents his ideas in clear and precise language, while softening the experience with her memoir-like approach and her attempt to "betray" Spinoza by uncovering the person within this philosopher of reason who advocated the minimization of the personal.

I also found much of Spinoza's system to be captivating. His optimistic beliefs about the power of reason, the nature of salvation and immortality, the nature of God, and the foundations of ethics are alluring. His ideas regarding political and religious tolerance, the nature of the universe, and the interpretation of scripture have had a profound influence on many important thinkers, from John Locke to the Founding Fathers and even Albert Einstein.

In conclusion, although I initially resisted reading this book, I am now glad that I did. It has provided me with a new perspective on Spinoza's philosophy and has shown me the significance of his ideas in shaping the intellectual landscape.

Rebecca Goldstein's biography of Baruch de Spinoza is a captivating exploration that delves deep into the philosopher's life and thought. The book ends with a profound quote from Spinoza himself, which encapsulates the essence of Goldstein's project. Goldstein's writing is of high quality, although at times it can be challenging to follow as she weaves through the complex connections between Spinoza's life and his works.

The book employs various writing styles, including historical rigor, sentimental reflection, and analytical breakdown. This diversity makes the book highly readable and engaging, as it presents a well-rounded view of Spinoza. The specific focus on the connections between Spinoza's thought and his Jewishness adds depth and context to the narrative. However, Goldstein's approach does assume some knowledge of Judaic text and customs, which may pose a slight hindrance to readers unfamiliar with these aspects.

Overall, this is not a straightforward historical account or a pure condensation of Spinoza's thought. Instead, it offers an imaginative reconstruction of his life, using his philosophical writings as a guide. While the book may lack clear structuring around interrelated themes, it still provides a fascinating and emotional journey through the life of an interesting philosopher. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Spinoza's work or Enlightenment philosophy in general.

Spinoza is a remarkable figure who stands at the intersection of philosophy and Judaism. His ideas and works have had a profound impact on both fields. This article is not a biography but rather an introduction to and meditation on Spinoza as a philosopher and a Jew. It is important to note that we do not refer to him simply as a "Jewish philosopher" as this might limit our understanding of his complex and multi-faceted identity.

The exploration of Spinoza's philosophy and his Jewish heritage makes one eager to delve into his magnum opus, "Ethics." This work is a profound and challenging exploration of fundamental questions about human nature, morality, and the nature of reality. Additionally, it also makes one want to explore the novels of Rebecca Goldstein, who has written extensively about Spinoza and his ideas.

Goldstein's novels offer a unique perspective on Spinoza's life and thought, presenting them in a fictionalized and accessible form. Through her works, readers can gain a deeper understanding of Spinoza's ideas and their relevance in today's world. Overall, the study of Spinoza as a philosopher and a Jew is a fascinating and rewarding endeavor that offers many insights into the human condition.

This text really does a great job of explaining Spinoza's views and philosophy.

It was recommended to me by my Political Science professor. Instead of directly delving into and struggling with a translation of 16th century Latin written by a Dutch Jew, this provides a more accessible way to understand Spinoza's ideas.

Spinoza's philosophy is complex and profound, covering various aspects such as metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. By reading this explanation, one can gain a better understanding of his key concepts and how they fit together.

It helps to break down the difficult language and concepts of the original text into more understandable terms. This makes it easier for students and enthusiasts alike to explore and engage with Spinoza's work.

Overall, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about Spinoza's philosophy.

The philosopher Spinoza is neatly placed in his time - the mid-17th century Amsterdam - and among his people - the immigrant Marrano Jews from Spain.

His history is truly fascinating, and Goldstein's personal connection to Spinoza adds an interesting layer.

However, the great man's metaphysics are unfortunately beyond my comprehension.

It seems that Spinoza's ideas were so profound and complex that they require a great deal of study and reflection to fully understand.

Despite this, his work has had a significant impact on philosophy and continues to be studied and debated today.

Perhaps with more time and effort, I will be able to gain a better understanding of his metaphysical concepts and appreciate the true depth of his thinking.

For now, I can only admire his contributions from a distance and continue to explore the rich history of philosophy.

If you have a genuine concern for freedom of thought,

or if you have a deep interest in history,

or specifically in the history of freedom of thought,

or perhaps you are curious about the original source that influenced much of our Founding Fathers' thinking,

then you simply must read this book.

This book holds the key to understanding the complex and fascinating journey of freedom of thought throughout history.

It delves into the ideas and events that have shaped our modern concept of this fundamental right.

By reading it, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the struggles and sacrifices that have been made to ensure our freedom of thought.

So don't hesitate, pick up this book and embark on a journey of discovery.

Kinda off topic, but I would love to see Marilynn Robinson and Rebecca Goldstein debate/discuss Calvin.

Marilynn Robinson is a highly regarded American author known for her profound and thought-provoking works that often explore themes of faith, morality, and the human condition. Her writing has earned her numerous accolades and a dedicated following.

Rebecca Goldstein, on the other hand, is a philosopher and novelist. Her works delve into the intersection of philosophy, religion, and science, offering unique perspectives on some of the most fundamental questions of human existence.

Both Robinson and Goldstein have written extensively about Calvin and his ideas. A debate or discussion between them on this topic would无疑 be fascinating. It would allow for a deep exploration of Calvin's theology, its implications for modern society, and the different ways in which these two brilliant minds approach and interpret his work.

Such a debate could also spark a wider conversation about the role of religion and philosophy in our lives today. It would provide an opportunity for readers and thinkers to engage with these important ideas and gain a deeper understanding of their significance.