Spinoza's Religion: A New Reading of the Ethics

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Spinoza is widely regarded as either a God-forsaking atheist or a God-intoxicated pantheist, but Clare Carlisle says that he was neither. In Spinozas Religion, she sets out a bold interpretation of Spinoza through a lucid new reading of his masterpiece, the Ethics. Putting the question of religion centre-stage but refusing to convert Spinozism to Christianity, Carlisle reveals that being in God unites Spinozas metaphysics and ethics. Spinozas Religion unfolds a powerful, inclusive philosophical vision for the modern age one that is grounded in a profound questioning of how to live a joyful, fully human life.

Like Spinoza himself, the Ethics doesnt fit into any ready-made religious category. But Carlisle shows how it wrestles with the question of religion in strikingly original ways, responding both critically and constructively to the diverse, broadly Christian context in which Spinoza lived and worked. Philosophy itself, as Spinoza practiced it, became a spiritual endeavour that expressed his devotion to a truthful, virtuous way of life.

Offering startling new insights into Spinozas famously enigmatic ideas about eternal life and the intellectual love of God, Carlisle uncovers a Spinozist religion that integrates self-knowledge, desire, practice, and embodied ethical life to reach toward our 'highest happiness' to rest in God. Seen through Carlisles eyes, the Ethics prompts us to rethink not only Spinoza but also religion itself.

Reviews

"Carlisles book is a finely written and thoughtful introduction to Spinozas philosophy for anyone who is curious as to why this thinker, dead for almost 350 years, remains vitally relevant today"---Steven Nadler, Literary Review
"[Carlisle] admirably establishes that Spinozas philosophy can be interpreted as a distinctive and original form of rational religion."---Carlos Fraenkel, Times Literary Supplement
"Carlisle has done us a great service by offering a convincing and newly rounded portrayaland by reminding us that you can never exhaust the majesty of Spnoza's religious writing."---Alex Dean, Prospect
"An intimate, religious reading of Spinozas Ethics, which allows his peculiar religion to emerge with all its promise and paradox." * Choice Reviews *
"Carlisles interpretation of Spinoza is consistently fresh and surprising. . . . This book steps decisively away from the modes of rational reconstruction and conceptual analysis that now dominate Spinoza scholarship in the English language, and is all the better for it. . . . An excellent book that will reward readers of Spinoza of all levels."---Beth Lord, Philosophy
"Im sure Im not the only person who feels excited to explore the new world of interpretation that Carlisle has opened up by taking Spinozas religion seriously."---Alexander Douglas, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Author Bio

Clare Carlisle is Professor of Philosophy at Kings College London, and the author of six previous books, including Philosopher of the Heart: The Restless Life of Sren Kierkegaard. She is also the editor of George Eliots translation of Spinozas Ethics (Princeton). She grew up in Manchester and lives in London.