SPINOZA, Benedict.

Tractatus Theologico-Politicus Continens Dissertationes aliquot.

Hamburgi [Amsterdam]: Henricum Künraht [Jan Rieuwertsz], 1670 [1672]. FIRST EDITION, THIRD ISSUE TP+ 4 leaves = Præfatio + 1 leaf = Index Capitum + 1-233 + [234] = Errata Typographica + 1 blank leaf, small Quarto. First Edition, Third Issue. (Van der Linde 3, Land B, Bamberger T2a, Kingma-Offenberg 5 )Printing and the Mind of Man 153As called for in Kingma-Offenberg #5, this copy with signature (*)3 misnumbered (*)4, page 42 misnumbered 24 and page 207 misnumber 213 (but hand corrected to 207). This copy does not exhibit the misprinting of "Cap. XIV" as noted in Bamberger T2. However, it does have "Cap. XIV" misprinted as "Cap. XVI" on p. 161 (an error either not previously noted or one which Kingma-Offenberg have misreported from Bamberger). Several corrections called for in the Errata have been made in a contemporary ink hand. Bamberger notes that this volume was most likely published in 1672.The Tractatus lists a false publisher and place of printing. This need for secrecy and subterfuge was driven by the intense religious and political climate in Holland during Spinoza's lifetime, by the charges of atheism leveled against him, by his expulsion from the Jewish temple and by his intensely felt desire to avoid being drawn into any public controversy"His fame spread and when he left Leiden for the Hague in 1663 he was already finding it difficult to prevent the surreptitious printing of his first great work, the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus. It constituted an extension to political thought of his ethical views. Man is moved to the knowledge and love of God; the love of God involves the love of our fellow men. Man, in order to obtain security, surrenders part of his right of independent action to the State. But the State exists to give liberty, not to enslave; justice, wisdom and tolerance are essential to the sovereign power. Spinoza's thought, a fusion of Cartesian rationalism and the Hebraic tradition in which he grew up, is a solitary but crystal-clear exposition of the theory of natural right. He defends with eloquence the liberty of thought and speech in speculative matters, and the Tractatus contains the first clear statement of the independence of each other of philosophy and religion, in that speculation and precepts of conduct cannot collide." (PMM #153)"The Theological-Political Treatise is one of the most eloquent arguments for a secular, democratic state in the history of political thought. Spinoza felt deeply about the issues he addressed, and - in contrast to the generally dispassionate Ethics - his sentiments in the Treatise are strong and unmistakable." (Nadler, p. 285) Contemporary vellum binding with small, occasional dark spotting to covers. Boards slightly bowed. TP with small, contemporary inked name to the right of the book title. Pages with light 'ripples' throughout. Minor dampstain to lower front corner of last 19 leaves which is barely noticeable until the last four leaves. A really lovely copy of this major work of Western philosophy and political theory. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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• bookseller: Athena Rare Books (USA)