CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Heyl, Johard |
|---|---|
| Title | What is the Scope of the Freedom to Philosophize? |
| Summary | This thesis explores the scope of the freedom to philosophize in Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise (TTP). It examines the tension between his robust defence of free thought and expression and his endorsement of limitations where such freedoms threaten the stability of the state. The central problem investigated, arises from Daniel Garber’s (2008) argument that Spinoza’s own philosophy – particularly its critique of anthropomorphic religious doctrines – might disillusion ordinary readers and thereby undermine the moral foundations of civic obedience. If true, this would suggest that Spinoza’s own work violates the very boundaries of expression he supports, thus calling into question the internal coherence of the TTP. In response, the thesis argues that Spinoza can address this problem by interpreting the doctrines of faith as flexible and interpretable in rational terms, allowing disillusioned readers to retain their commitment to simple and rational moral conduct, even as they might revise their theological views. It claims that Within Spinoza’s framework, it seems unlikely that readers that are truly obedient, would be disillusioned of their understanding of moral conduct. By examining Spinoza’s political theory, his correspondence, and recent interpretations by Laerke (2021) and Rosenthal (2003), the analysis concludes that the true bounds to free philosophizing does not stem from the unintentional consequences of reasoned argument. Rather, in Spinoza’s framework it is limited by the irrational psychological forces of ambition and superstition. Which can prevent reasoned discussion and in conjunction can threaten the stability of the state and thus be censored by Spinoza’s merits. |
| Supervisor | Griffin, Michael |
| Department | Philosophy PhD |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/heyl_johard.pdf |
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