Think Least of Death: Spinoza on How to Live and How to Die
English
By (author): Steven Nadler
From Pulitzer Prize-finalist Steven Nadler, an engaging guide to what Spinoza can teach us about lifes big questions
In 1656, after being excommunicated from Amsterdams Portuguese-Jewish community for abominable heresies and monstrous deeds, the young Baruch Spinoza abandoned his familys 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 Spinozas views has long obscured that his primary reason for turning to philosophy was to answer one of humanitys 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 Prizefinalist Steven Nadler connects Spinozas ideas with his life and times to offer a compelling account of how the philosopher can provide a guide to living ones 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 importantimproving 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 Spinozas moral philosophy, Think Least of Death shows how his ideas still provide valuable insights about how to live today.