“Betraying Spinoza” — the first book I’ve dogeared and filled with margin notes in years — is fascinating and fulfilling in many areas:
Philosophy — I spun over Spinoza in a survey course decades ago, and am now surprised to discover that his oh-so systematic approach makes great sense once I see through his Euclidean screen. Goldstein barely hints that Spinoza’s system resonates perfectly with today’s brain science, though suffering the same shortfall when it comes to an explanation for consciousness. In any case, wholly unique and miles ahead of Descartes because free of the limits Christianity imposed at this dawn of the Age of Reason.
History — Before reading this I was ignorant of the “Golden Age” of Jewish culture in Iberia under the Moslem occupation, of the lasting impact of the Spanish/Portugese Inquisition on those who faced the “convert or die” ultimatum and chose to convert.
I also knew very little about the history of Jewish thought during this time, the connection of the Inquisition to the rise of Cabbalism, etc. (Those more familiar with Judaica will have an easier time with some terminology.)
Theology — Putting full trust in reason and God rather than the Bible, Spinoza is as relevant today as when he stood alone in a world that was trying to fine harmony between Christianity and science, and contorting both in the process. As Goldstein doesn’t need to dwell on a statement of faith from Albert Einstein to demonstrate Spinoza’s relevance today.
A “Great Read” — This book also demonstrates that Goldstein is both a daring scholar and a damn fine writer. She lets you know before veering into speculation, not too often and each time a worthwhile expedition.
Highly recommended!