This site is devoted to presenting the philosophy of Baruch Spinoza. It contains selections from all his writings and comments to help the reader understand them.

Why bother to read the ideas of a 17th century philosopher?

1) because his world-view is the one which scientists favor today. (Einstein said "I believe in Spinoza's God, who reveals himself in the harmony of all that exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind.")

2) because Spinoza built an ethic (a description of a way of life) on the foundation of enlightened self-interest that is the epitome of rational philosophy and is worthy of intelligent human beings today.

3) because he showed how humans generally are in bondage to their emotions and suffer from mental anxiety because of it. His analysis of human emotions is praised by neuroscientists today.

The story of Spinoza is how he found a way to achieve a life of freedom and peace of mind – and lived it.