Spinoza’s Political Philosophy: Freedom of Thought
Spinoza: A 17th-Century Philosopher
Author: Baruch Spinoza, a 17th-century rationalist philosopher, descended from Spanish Sephardic Jews in Holland. He was formed in the Jewish religion and also studied Latin and Greek, which opened the door to classic books. He read Descartes, Bacon, and Hobbes. All of this progressively helped wean him from the Jewish faith until he was expelled from the synagogue. Abandoned by friends and family, he took refuge near Amsterdam.
Spinoza’s Political Foundation of European Democracy
Topic: Spinoza’s political philosophy centers on the idea that European democracy is the best form of government because it is based on laws and votes, grounded in the principle of the social contract. This, in turn, guarantees freedom of thought and avoids absolutism.
Key Ideas in Spinoza’s Political Philosophy
- Freedom of thought is presented as the best tool to maintain power, preventing sedition (which Spinoza defines as the people’s opposition to the authorities, but without the severity of rebellion).
- States should agree on pacts or laws (legal and political) that work for everyone, which is possible according to the principle of majority rule. This legitimizes laws and allows for change.
- These ideas arise from Spinoza’s fundamental principle in political theory: the foundation of a democratic state is based on freedom of thought.
Structure of Spinoza’s Argument
The text is inductive, with the main thesis or conclusion at the end. Spinoza establishes a fundamental principle in political theory based on freedom of thought. This is strengthened by two supporting ideas presented as the body of the argument: the establishment of a democratic state that prioritizes the social pact and the principle of majority rule. This avoids sedition (opposition to the government) and guarantees the social good.
Explanation of Spinoza’s Philosophy
According to Spinoza, human beings are selfish by nature. Each individual prioritizes the preservation of their own being, making individuals enemies of one another. The state of nature is, therefore, dangerous for everyone. Society is born of rational self-interest to avoid that danger. But what is the best way to achieve self-preservation?
To maintain this social link, a foundation is created: the social contract. This contract depends on the power society has to enforce agreements among all its members. This creates a sovereign power to which individuals give up some natural rights. Therefore, society imposes restrictions on the individual, but these are a lesser evil compared to the dangers of the state of nature.
Spinoza distinguishes three forms of government: monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. He argues that the most rational and free government is one that allows individuals to live under the guidance of reason. Democracy is best because freedom of thought, word (expression), and religious belief are protected. Therefore, democracy better ensures the fulfillment of individual liberties.
Spinoza’s political doctrine is part of the contractarian tradition, which holds that the origin of society is based on an agreement between free men. The oldest precedent is the Sophists’ doctrine of the conventional character of human laws. Later, at the end of the Middle Ages, William of Ockham advocated for the separation of religious and political powers. Contractarianism definitively took root in the 17th and 18th centuries with the political theories of Hobbes and Locke in England, and Rousseau in France.