Professor Susan James

Spinoza on Philosophy, Religion, and Politics: The Theologico-Political Treatise (Oxford University Press, 2012)

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Time: 2.00 to 4.00 pm, followed by nibbles and drinks

Place: University of Western Sydney, Bankstown Campus
2 Bullecourt Avenue, Milperra
Building 3, Room G.55

RSVP by noon 3 September to philosophy@uws.edu.au is essential for catering purposes

Program:

2.00 – 3.00 pm: Perspectives on

Genevieve Lloyd (Macquarie University)
Michael Rosenthal (University of Washington)
Dimitris Vardoulakis (UWS)

3.00 to 3.20 pm: Response by Professor Susan James
3.20 – 4.00 pm: Q&A

Professor Susan James inverses Leo Strauss’ reading of Spinoza. Whereas Strauss emphasized the hidden subtext of Spinoza’s arguments, James revives the explicit debates of his time within which Spinoza's Theologico-Political Treatise was situated. But this is not a simple historical reconstruction. James’ close reading of the Treatise offers a radically new perspective on Spinoza’s revolutionary book – a reading that presents startling new perspective on the political, metaphysical and theological implications of the book. Given the importance of Spinoza’s political writings in contemporary radical democratic approaches to the state, James intervention has the potential to reshape the way we think of a Spinozan politics.

To listen to this discussion use the audio players below. You can also download the audio onto your computer by clicking links below.  ‪