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Loading... Think Least of Death: Spinoza on How to Live and How to Die (edition 2020)by Steven Nadler (Author)
Work InformationThink Least of Death: Spinoza on How to Live and How to Die by Steven Nadler
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. this is a friendly sorta-intro to spinoza's ethics in the form of a self help book. it is an amusing concept for a book but the effort is 100% earnest, not ironic in the least. there is good advice for living in here, and some deep discussion of our predicament in being alive and wanting to be good. the author's academic scruples weigh down some sections with textual interpretive disputes: it is a bit of a puzzle what spinoza really thought about suicide, eg. Would recommend if you have some acquaintance with spinoza and want to revisit ideas from his great work in ethics in a new and friendly form. no reviews | add a review
A thoughtful and engaging guide to what Spinoza ́s philosophy can teach us about life ́s big questionsIn 1656, after being excommunicated from Amsterdam ́s Portuguese-Jewish community for ́abominable heresies ́ and ́monstrous deeds, ́ the young Baruch Spinoza abandoned his family ́s import business to dedicate his life to philosophy. He quickly became notorious across Europe for his views on God, the Bible, and miracles, as well as for his uncompromising defense of free thought. Yet the radicalism of Spinoza ́s views has long obscured that his primary reason for turning to philosophy was to answer some of humanity ́s most urgent questions: How can we lead a good life and enjoy happiness in a world without a providential God? In Think Least of Death, Pulitzer Prize ́finalist Steven Nadler connects Spinoza ́s ideas with his life and times to offer a compelling account of how the philosopher can provide a guide to living one ́s best life.In the Ethics, Spinoza presents his vision of the ideal human being, the ́free person ́ who, motivated by reason, lives a life of joy devoted to what is most important ́improving oneself and others. Untroubled by passions such as hate, greed, and envy, free people treat others with benevolence, justice, and charity. Focusing on the rewards of goodness, they enjoy the pleasures of this world, but in moderation. ́The free person thinks least of all of death, ́ Spinoza writes, ́and his wisdom is a meditation not on death but on life."An unmatched introduction to Spinoza ́s moral philosophy, Think Least of Death shows how his ideas still provide valuable insights about how to live today. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)170Philosophy and Psychology Ethics Ethics -- SubdivisionsLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Put another way: Spinoza was delightfully weird and contextualizing that would go a long way towards making his his work further accessible and appreciated. ( )