Spinoza's abominations.

• Author: Mangu-Ward, Katherine
• Position: Briefly Noted - Brief article

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In his Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, a work of politics and religion that is too often overlooked nowadays, Baruch Spinoza offered one of the earliest and most powerful arguments for a separation of church and state. Upon its release in 1670, the book was denounced as "godless" and "full of abominations." It was promptly banned.

Philosophy professor Stephen Nadler tells the story of the book that scandalized early modern Europe--and laid the groundwork for modern republican, anticlerical, and...