The Correspondence of Spinoza

Abstract

THE thinkers of the seventeenth century took all knowledge for their provinces. The men of science were at the same time physicists, chemists, biologists, and geologists, might also be astronomers and architects; often, in addition, they showed deep interest in theological matters, although this interest was manifested in widely different ways, as witness the names of Boyle, Newton, and Leihniz. On the other hand, lawyers and philosophers took an active part in the scientific life which sprang into such activity in the second half of that century, ludicrous as might be the writings of a Matthew Hale on the vacuum, futile as might be the attacks of a Hobbes on the mathematical achievements of a Wallis. It was impossible for so bold and original a thinker as Spinoza not to take his part in the discussion of the new results that came pouring from the laboratories in a manner reminiscent of our own times, more especially as he was earning his living by grinding lenses. It is true that he made no original contribution to the scientific thought of the day, and likewise made no experimental discoveries. Nevertheless, from his letters we can form a lively picture of the days when the appearance of a “Certain excellent treatise on Sixty Observations with the Microscope” (Hooke's “Micrographia”) was causing a sensation, and when Mr. Huygens was performing in London experiments confirming his hypothesis of impact; when Latin translations of the books of the very noble Mr. Boyle were eagerly awaited by continental writers unable to read English; and when “Hevelius of Dantzig and the Frenchman Auzout were disputing among themselves about the Observations which were made”. The chief interest of the letters is undoubtedly for the philosophers who find therein discussed at length Spinoza's conception of God, but the man of science, as such, who has the faintest historic sense cannot but be entertained to find himself in a world where the transmutation of silver to gold witnessed by Helvetius was a matter of lively inquiry, and where the authority of Descartes was well-nigh absolute.

The Correspondence of Spinoza.

Translated and edited with Introduction and Annotations by Prof. A. Wolf. Pp. 502. (London: George Allen and Unwin, Ltd., 1928.) 15s. net.