How to Improve Your Mind is an engaging philosophical text by master Enlightenment thinker Baruch Spinoza. This edition includes exclusive commentary and biographical notes written by Philosophical Library s founding publisher, Dagobert D. Runes. Baruch Spinoza (1632 1677) is heralded as one of the most influential and radical philosophers of the Enlightenment. An expert on the Talmud and Jewish scriptures, Spinoza is known for his moral philosophy and his views on theology and ethics. He devoted his life to the study of philosophy and Judaism and wrote several philosophical texts throughout...

Preface gives a synopsis of Spinoza, his life, and where he was at during this time period. The book gives a huge depth into Cartesian Philosophy which is the philosophical doctrine of Rene Descartes. It also speaks of metaphysics in relation to Spinoza and Cartesian Philosophy. Baruch or Benedict de Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Jewish origin. Revealing considerable scientific aptitude, the breadth and importance of Spinoza's work was not fully realized until years after his death. Today, he is considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy, laying the...

This new and complete translation of Spinoza's famous 17th-century work fills an important gap, not only for all scholars of Spinoza, but also for everyone interested in the relationship between Western philosophy and religion, and the history of biblical exegesis. The existing Elwes translation of 1883 has long been regarded as insufficient by Spinoza scholars for its misleading rendering of the Latin and its many omissions. Samuel Shirley, well-known for his excellent best-selling translation of Spinoza's Ethics, now presents this new, complete translation of Spinoza's Tractatus...

Benedictus de Spinoza (1632-1677) was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese/ Jewish origins. He was one of the great rationalists of his time. His work set the stage for the 18th century era of Enlightenment and modern Biblical criticism. Improvement of the Understanding is the core of Spinoza's philosophy. The treatise states that nothing is intrinsically good or bad. It is the individual's perceptions that make something appear to be good or bad. Spinoza believes in his deterministic universe that, "All things in nature proceed from certain necessity and with the utmost perfection." For Spinoza...

Often named the "Prince of Philosophers," Benedict Baruch Spinoza is considered one of the most prominent "Rationalists" in the history of Philosophy. His scientifically grounded work laid the foundation for the 18th century "Enlightenment," and modern biblical criticism. His ideas were branded as heresy, by both Christian and Jewish religious leaders. This special edition of "The Philosophy of Spinoza" contains 3 full essays, originally published in 1926 and edited by Joseph Ratner. His introduction to the life of Spinoza also includes an analysis of the writings and world view of the Dutch...