Spinoza was a cryptojew from Portugal, his rich merchant father was an administrator in the first Portuguese synagogue.
He was probably the greatest influence on 17th century continental rationalism, second only to Descartes. The idea that all knowledge can be gained through reason alone, which inversely means for something to be considered true, it must be "well reasoned." This is why rationalism is utilitarian and secular.
His rejection of teleology and emphasis on modes of being lines up exactly with Marx and is quite a foundation for post-modernism. You can see that connection with French maxist Louis Althusser, who argued that Spinoza has had an understated influence on contemporary philosophy through what he called "Aleatory Materialism" (which is really dialectical materialism + marxist revolution).
Sorry if this was a bit dense, let me know if you want to know anything more specific.
It's on my reading list
He was probably the greatest influence on 17th century continental rationalism, second only to Descartes. The idea that all knowledge can be gained through reason alone, which inversely means for something to be considered true, it must be "well reasoned." This is why rationalism is utilitarian and secular.
His rejection of teleology and emphasis on modes of being lines up exactly with Marx and is quite a foundation for post-modernism. You can see that connection with French maxist Louis Althusser, who argued that Spinoza has had an understated influence on contemporary philosophy through what he called "Aleatory Materialism" (which is really dialectical materialism + marxist revolution).
Sorry if this was a bit dense, let me know if you want to know anything more specific.