Of Prophecy and Piety: Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus between al-Farabî and Erasmus

In this contribution, I discuss some less well-known premodern and early modern antecedents of Spinoza’s concepts claims in the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus. On one hand, will argue, notion prophecy owes more to Moses Maimonides than any Christian author; through Maimonides, Spinoza may be linked discussion The Virtuous City by tenth-century Islamic philosopher al-Farabî. concern with as a popular formulation Divine Law fruitfully seen light these two authors. other pietas has arguably been shaped number authors from Low Countries, including Thomas Kempis Erasmus: it does not consist merely obeying law, but also clear devotional theist dimension love for God one’s neighbors. As such, associated recent ideas on philosophy spiritual exercises. These findings have non-trivial implications place rise modern, academic Western philosophy. context Pierre Hadot’s influential views way life Michel Foucault’s spirituality.