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Spinoza: Philosophy of Human Freedom

Publish: May 24, 2022

Writer Profile

  • Kazuhiko Yoshida

    Other : Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Tokyo International University

    ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ alumni

    Kazuhiko Yoshida

    Other : Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Tokyo International University

    ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ alumni

This is the first full-length book I have written in Japanese. I realized that I have already passed the age of 50. Exactly 30 years have passed since I first encountered Spinoza's work in the spring semester of my junior year at university.

I have long wanted to write an introductory book about Spinoza, the philosopher who lived in the 17th-century Netherlands, that general readers could easily pick up. And if I were to write it, I wanted it to be a book that not only introduces an outline of his thought by deciphering his major works (which is an essential task in itself), but also retraces his entire life.

There are direct and indirect reasons why I felt this way. The direct reason is quite simple: Spinoza is a philosopher whose life and thought are interesting as a whole. Spinoza's life, which is commonly said to have lasted "44 years, 2 months, and 27 days," was short but full of ups and downs and various episodes. Not one of those episodes feels unlike Spinoza, and conversely, I feel that if even one of them were missing, Spinoza would not be the Spinoza we know.

The indirect reason is simply that there are very few introductory books that introduce Spinoza's life and thought in a well-balanced manner. Most introductory books on Spinoza written in Japan and abroad have been specialized in introducing his thought, treating his life only briefly. Of course, there are works that tackle Spinoza's life head-on, but as a result of focusing on overly detailed historical research, they are all as thick as telephone books and are by no means suitable for beginners.

When I began writing, the ideal balance I had in mind was Kisaku Kudo's "Spinoza" (Shimizu Shoin). However, more than 40 years have passed since its publication, and when reviewed from today's research standards, errors can be found, particularly in the descriptions of his life. This book is the result of my efforts to inherit Mr. Kudo's sense of balance while appropriately reflecting 21st-century research standards. I hope you enjoy it.

Kazuhiko Yoshida

Kodansha Gendai Shinsho

416 pages, 1,320 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are those at the time of publication.

Writing Notes