Spinoza vol 1 ebook Part 2: The Role of True Worship: True Religion and Political Stability Introduction

Part 2: The Role of True Worship: True Religion and Political Stability

Introduction

In Part 2, I would like to suggest that worship in Spinoza is a broader concept with a wider ranging definition than is currently used in philosophy scholarship. Furthermore, I maintain that true worship can stand alone as a main topic in itself in Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise^[i] and has a more pivotal role and a greater impact on true religion and political stability than is often acknowledged and analysed. The reason why I think political stability is a good focal point and crucial within Spinoza’s political philosophy is in part because, as Jaspers rightly points out, political stability constitutes “the criterion of the good state” ^[ii]. 

In Chapter 1, I will attempt to analytically define how Spinoza describes true worship in his TTP and shall analyse the notion of true worship itself and its role in relation to knowledge and God as well as ethical and political principles. In Chapter 2, I wish to examine the ways in which wisdom and knowledge of God contribute to ethical and political principles and in turn, enhance and maintain political stability in a state. In Chapter 3, I shall outline two main categories of worship, namely internal and external worship and how they relate to subjects and sovereigns and impact on political stability. In Chapter 4, I shall maintain that internal guidance from God and emotional stability are factors in true worship that promote true religion and political stability. Throughout Part 2, I shall include scriptural reading and interpretation as key forms of true worship. I shall focus on Spinoza’s TTP because it was published in his lifetime.  

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[i] Spinoza, TTP Trans. Elwes.

[ii] Karl Jaspers, Spinoza, ed. Hannah Arendt, trans. Ralph Manheim, 1st Edition, vol. II, The Great Philosophers: The Original Thinkers (New York and London: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt P, 1974), 72.