Description: Approaching the central themes of Spinoza's thought from both a historical and analytical perspective, this book examines the logical-metaphysical core of Spinoza's philosophy, its epistemology and its ramifications for his much disputed attitude towards religion.
Review Quotes: 'Mason succeeds in presenting Spinoza's thought in its extraordinary simplicity and at the same time this study is a channel for Mason to question the major tenets of the standard analytical tradition. It is clear that this is not only a book for students of Spinoza but also an intervention in contemporary analytical debates.' Herman De Dijn, Hoger Instituut voor Wijsbegeerte, Leuven 'Richard Mason was a unique Spinoza scholar. His masterly study The God of Spinoza (1997) established his fame as a profound and subtle analyst of what remains one of the most formidable metaphysical systems in the history of philosophy. The present collection - Mason's precious legacy to Spinoza scholarship - offers a wide range of highly original and thought-provoking essays. It approaches Spinoza's philosophy from different but correlated perspectives: logic, knowledge, and religion. The result is a fresh reading that dispels many tenacious preconceptions. ' Piet Steenbakkers, University of Utrecht