I am indebted to Mr. Houston Peterson, of Columbia University, for suggesting to me the idea of arranging a volume of selections from Spinoza. I am alone responsible, however, for the actual selections and arrangements, and for the idea of taking the Ethics out of its geometrical form. Professor Morris R. Cohen, of the College of the City of New York, read this volume in manuscript; I am indebted to him for some valuable suggestions. I am also indebted very greatly to a friend (who prefers not to be acknowledged) for invaluable help in getting the manuscript into shape.

Joseph Ratner.

October, 1926.

CONTENTS

page
Preface[v]
The Life of Spinoza[xi]
Introduction to the Philosophy of Spinoza[xxvii]
FIRST PART
on god
chapter
I.Of Superstition[3]
II.Of the Interpretation of Scripture[11]
III.Of Prophets and Prophecy[36]
IV.Of the Vocation of the Hebrews[64]
V.Of the Divine Law[71]
VI.Of the Ceremonial Law[88]
VII.Of Miracles[103]
VIII.Of the Divine Nature[122]
SECOND PART
on man
IX.The Nature and Origin of the Human Mind[155]
X.The Nature and Extent of Human Knowledge[173]
XI.Determinism and Morals[191]
XII.The Origin and Nature of the Emotions[211]
XIII.The Psychology of the Emotions[236]
THIRD PART
on man's well-being
XIV.Of Human Bondage[251]
XV.The Foundations of the Moral Life[266]
XVI.Of the Foundations of a State[297]
XVII.Of Supreme Authorities[314]
XVIII.Freedom of Thought and Speech[333]
XIX.Of Human Freedom[345]
XX.Of Human Blessedness and the Eternity of the Mind[361]
Appendix[377]

THE LIFE OF SPINOZA