Open AccessHobbes Overrated, Spinoza Underrated
Author(s) -
JanErik Lane
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of research in philosophy and history
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2576-2451
pISSN - 2576-2435
DOI - 10.22158/jrph.v1n1p1
Subject(s) - politics , philosophy , political philosophy , state (computer science) , state of nature , epistemology , absolute (philosophy) , philosophy of religion , law , political science , algorithm , computer science
In political thought, Hobbes and Spinoza form an interesting and fascinating couple. They lived parallel lives and wrote much on similar topics: humans, contracts, the state and religion. Whereas Hobbes is considered one of the absolute top political philosophers, Spinoza has only been recognized as a great philosopher, due to his Ethics. But on close examination, I dare say that Spinoza outperforms Hobbes also on political theory and religion. The aim of this paper is to call for a re-evaluation of Spinoza’s political and religious philosophy.