Spinoza in 90 Minutes

Unabridged
Author: Paul Strathern
Narrator: Robert Whitfield
Genres: Philosophy
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: August 2004
Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes
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Overview

Spinoza’s brilliant metaphysical system was derived neither from reality nor experience. Starting from basic assumptions, with a series of geometric proofs he built a universe which was also God—one and the same thing, the classic example of pantheism. Although his system seems an oddity today, Spinoza’s conclusions are deeply in accord with modern thought, from science (the holistic ethics of today’s ecologists) to politics (the idea that the state exists to protect the individual). Both Spinoza’s system and conclusions have compelling beauty unequaled in the history of philosophy.

In Spinoza in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Spinoza’s life and ideas and explains their influence on man’s struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Spinoza’s work, a brief list of suggested readings for those who wish to delve deeper, and chronologies that place Spinoza within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

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Author Details

Author Details

Strathern, Paul

Paul Strathern (1940-) is a British writer and academic. He was born in London, and studied at Trinity College, Dublin. His novel A Season in Abyssinia won a Somerset Maugham Award in 1972. Besides five novels, he has also written numerous books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics. He is the author of two successful series of short introductory books: Philosophers in 90 Minutes and The Big Idea: Scientists Who Changed the World. His book on the history of chemistry entitled Mendeleyev's Dream (2001) was short-listed for the Aventis Prize, and his works have been translated into over two dozen languages. He is the author of the best-selling 'The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance', and his most recent work 'Napoleon in Egypt' came out in May 2007.

Strathern was a lecturer at Kingston University where he taught philosophy and science. He lives in London, and has three grandchildren: Tristan, Julian and Opajoke.