Tractatus Theologico-Politicus

The Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (TTP) or Theologico-Political Treatise, written in Latin by the Dutch philosopher Benedictus Spinoza (1632–1677), was one of the most important and controversial texts of the early modern period. Although it was published anonymously in 1670, during Spinoza's lifetime, his identity was guessed quickly. In it, Spinoza expounds his views on contemporary Jewish and Christian religion and critically analyses the Bible, especially the Old Testament, which underlies both. He argues what the best roles for state and religion should be and concludes that a degree of democracy and freedom of speech and religion works best, such as in Amsterdam, while the state remains paramount within reason. The goal of the state is to guarantee the freedom of the citizens. Religious leaders should not meddle in politics. Spinoza prepares the ground for his work on metaphysics and psychology, Ethics, published posthumously in 1678, rightly anticipating harsh criticism and vigorous attempts by religious leaders and conservative governments to suppress his work entirely. One described it as being "Forged in hell by the apostate Jew working together with the devil". It has been characterized as "one of the most significant events in European intellectual history," laying the groundwork for ideas about liberalism, secularism, and democracy." Historical context The vaunted religious tolerance of the Dutch Republic was under strain in the mid-seventeenth century. War with England over trade and imperial dominance affected the Northern Netherlands' prosperity. The conservative leaders of the Dutch Reformed Church put pressure on civil authorities to curtail freedom of expression and the circulation of ideas to which they objected. In the political sphere conservatives sought to restore the position of stadholder, or head of state, with a member of the House of Orange. During the First Stadtholderless period (1650-1672) Johan de Witt functioned as head of state and was in favor of policies of religious toleration, which had helped fuel prosperity. Jews could practice their religion openly and were an integral part of the commercial sector. There were also a great number of Christian sects that contributed to the religious and intellectual ferment of the Republic. Some dissenters began openly challenging religious authorities and religion itself, as Spinoza had done, leading to his expulsion from the Jewish community in Amsterdam in 1656.