Overview

Through a radical new reading of the 'Theological Political Treatise', Dimitris Vardoulakis argues that the major source of Spinoza's materialism is the Epicurean tradition that re-emerges in modernity when manuscripts by Epicurus and Lucretius are rediscovered. This reconsideration of Spinoza's political project, set within a historical context, lays the ground for an alternative genealogy of materialism. Central to this new reading of Spinoza are the theory of practical judgment (understood as the calculation of utility) and its implications for a theory of democracy that is resolutely positioned against authority.

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9781474476041

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Reviews

"An engagingly provocative and suggestive contribution to contemporary political theory and philosophy. [...] Summing Up: Recommended.--D. A. Forbes, West Chester University of Pennsylvania ""CHOICE"" An important contribution to Spinoza scholarship and to understanding the influence of Epicureanism in modern philosophy. Vardoulakis offers a fascinating account of the dynamic interaction of Epicurean themes within Spinoza's thought. The book yields fresh insight into the upshot of Spinoza's monism and into the complexities of his version of reason.--Genevieve Lloyd, The University of New South Wales Never have I seen the dialectical principle of the unity of opposites carried on to such extremities in the reading of Spinoza's political and religious philosophy, with so much imagination, precision, and illuminating results. A once in a generation breakthrough, whose importance goes well beyond the history of past ideas, to opening roads for judgement in the present.--Etienne Balibar, author of Spinoza, the Transindividual Vardoulakis succeeds in showing that, despite the near absence of direct references to Epicurean philosophy, Spinoza's works can be seen as drawing frequently from this tradition to confront the problems it has identified as central. Vardoulakis' emphasis on authority and, especially, utility illuminate Spinoza's treatment of these concepts in a way few other studies have succeeded in doing.--Warren Montag, Occidental College Vardoulakis' magnificent book provides a very much needed new commentary of Spinoza's Theologico-Political Treatise as well as new, fresh insights on his materialism. This book is already a classic and a must-read for anybody interested in Spinoza's philosophy.--Chiara Bottici, The New School for Social Research"

An engagingly provocative and suggestive contribution to contemporary political theory and philosophy. [...] Summing Up: Recommended. -- D. A. Forbes, West Chester University of Pennsylvania * CHOICE * An engagingly provocative and suggestive contribution to contemporary political theory and philosophy. [...] Summing Up: Recommended. -- D. A. Forbes, West Chester University of Pennsylvania * CHOICE * Vardoulakis' magnificent book provides a very much needed new commentary of Spinoza's Theologico-Political Treatise as well as new, fresh insights on his materialism. This book is already a classic and a must-read for anybody interested in Spinoza's philosophy. -- Chiara Bottici, The New School for Social Research Never have I seen the dialectical principle of the unity of opposites carried on to such extremities in the reading of Spinoza’s political and religious philosophy, with so much imagination, precision, and illuminating results. A once in a generation breakthrough, whose importance goes well beyond the history of past ideas, to opening roads for judgement in the present. -- Etienne Balibar, author of Spinoza, the Transindividual An important contribution to Spinoza scholarship and to understanding the influence of Epicureanism in modern philosophy. Vardoulakis offers a fascinating account of the dynamic interaction of Epicurean themes within Spinoza’s thought. The book yields fresh insight into the upshot of Spinoza’s monism and into the complexities of his version of reason. -- Genevieve Lloyd, The University of New South Wales Vardoulakis succeeds in showing that, despite the near absence of direct references to Epicurean philosophy, Spinoza's works can be seen as drawing frequently from this tradition to confront the problems it has identified as central. Vardoulakis' emphasis on authority and, especially, utility illuminate Spinoza's treatment of these concepts in a way few other studies have succeeded in doing. -- Warren Montag, Occidental College

Author Information

Dimitris Vardoulakis is Professor of Philosophy at Western Sydney University. He is the author of The Doppelgänger: Literature’s Philosophy (2010), Sovereignty and its Other: Toward the Dejustification of Violence (2013), Freedom from the Free Will: On Kafka’s Laughter (SUNY, 2016) and Stasis Before the State: Nine Theses on Agonistic Democracy (2018). He has edited or co-edited numerous books, including Spinoza Now (2011) and Spinoza’s Authority (two volumes, 2018). He is co-series editor of Incitements and founding editor of the journal Philosophy, Politics and Critique, both at Edinburgh University Press.

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