Listed In: Philosophers
Birthdate: November 24, 1632
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died: February 21, 1677
Baruch (de) Spinoza, a philosopher of Portuguese-Jewish origin, had a significant impact on modern biblical criticism, rationalism, and Dutch intellectual culture during the Age of Enlightenment. Influenced by Stoicism, Thomas Hobbes, and René Descartes, Spinoza emerged as a prominent figure in the Dutch Golden Age. He challenged rabbinic authority, leading to his expulsion from the Jewish community, and devoted himself to philosophical inquiry and lens grinding. Through works such as the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus and Ethics, Spinoza questioned traditional beliefs, championed individual liberty, and solidified his position as a key figure in Western thought.
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