Spinoza: A Life By: Steven Nadler
Published: 1999 Date Finished: December 24, 2023
Rating: 7/10
Baruch Spinoza is one of the most influential philosophers of the 17th (and really of any) century. His works like the Ethics, Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, and others are still studied to this day. While countless words have been written about his thoughts and works, Nadler’s biography is rare in its effort to paint a picture of the man, the details of his life, and his era and surroundings.
The book begins by detailing how the Sephardic Jews of the Spanish Empire were expelled and forced to flee or convert to Christianity at the end of the 15th century. The edict banning Judaism in Spanish lands and the brutality of the Inquisition that followed led many Jews of Spanish and Portuguese extraction to relocate to the relatively freer and more tolerant Low Countries, including a large and thriving Portuguese-Jewish community in the Dutch city of Amsterdam. Among this community were the Spinoza clan.
Very little is known about Spinoza’s ancestors or even his formative years. Nadler does his best to flush out the life of the young man who would go on to be the brilliant philosopher. The author details the development of the Jewish community in the Amsterdam of Spinoza’s youth and some of the few details one can glean from extant records about the Spinoza family.
Spinoza was educated in the Yeshiva but probably didn’t continue into the more advanced stages of the institution. Spinoza joined in the import-export business of his father and remained a member in good standing of the community up until his father’s death while he was in his early 20s.
After the death of his father, Spinoza began to more openly express his beliefs that would end up with him being harshly excommunicated from the Jewish community in Amsterdam. Spinoza’s view that the Torah is not authored by Moses and other heretical views sees him labeled an atheist and everyone in his community is banned from even being in the same room with him. He takes up the trade of lens grinding to support himself (he also probably received financial assistance for his modest lifestyle from friends and followers) and devoted most of his time to seeking the truth about life.
Spinoza is even further beyond the pale than the suspect followers of Rene Descartes. Spinoza is an admirer of Descartes and makes his name at first with commentary on the work of the French polymath. However, Spinoza goes beyond the Cartesian line of thought and adds and modifies the philosophy to make it both his own and more intolerable to the authorities. To avoid the fate of some heretics, Spinoza is reluctant to publish some of his work and limits the select friends he’s shared his thoughts with from discussing them with others. When he does publish his treatise on God and Politics, he does so anonymously and even credits an anonymous press with producing the work.
Nadler does a good job of describing Spinoza’s thought and why it was so radical and feared by both Jewish and Christian authorities without getting too confusing and in the weeds. His work was made much more difficult by the decision of Spinoza’s friends to burn almost all of his personal correspondence upon his death.
If you are looking for deep analysis of the philosophical thought of Spinoza, you’ll be disappointed with Spinoza: A Life, but Nadler does a great job with detailing the man and the golden age of the Dutch Republic in which he lived with limited resources.
Alabama (+1.5 -105 at FanDuel) vs Michigan at the Rose Bowl
YTD 0-0-0 and +0.0 units
Michigan has been riding a roller coaster of emotions in the third straight season winning the Big Ten and participating in the College Football Playoffs. Jim Harbaugh, their embattled head coach, has been suspended for more games than he’s been allowed to coach. The talk around the program has focused much more of late on the scandal surrounding former team staffer Connor Stallions and the fallout from his efforts to steal signs from upcoming opponents than on any of the team’s 13 wins (including a thrilling game with arch-rival Ohio State). But Monday, finally, the talk will all be about what happens on the field in Pasadena.
Michigan cruised through the early part of the schedule with Harbaugh serving a four-game ban for recruiting violations. The team was untroubled all season by a weak non-conference schedule and a Big Ten slate of opponents that were overmatched until they faced Ohio State.
Michigan features a solid defense and arguably the best offensive line in the sport. These assets are complemented by a talented quarterback in JJ McCarthy and solid skill position players (highlighted by standout running back Blake Corum).
The Wolverines have answered every question they’ve faced despite a circus of an atmosphere around the program all year. However, they haven’t faced a test quite like a neutral field tussle with the Crimson Tide.
In contrast to Michigan, Alabama came into the season facing as many questions and doubts as any Crimson Tide team in the Nick Saban era. They were coming off a disappointing (relatively speaking) 2022 season that saw them miss the playoffs. The team lost a number 1 NFL draft pick in Quarterback Bryce Young as well as defensive stalwart (and third overall pick) edge rusher Will Anderson.
The doubts surrounding the young team and inexperienced new quarterback Jalen Milroe seemed more than justified when the Tide lost an early season contest at home to fellow playoff competitor Texas Longhorns. After the rare defeat at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Tide looked even more unsure of themselves and struggled to 17-3 win over hapless South Florida.
However, the Tide turned things around down the stretch and are playing as good as anyone at the end of this year. They capped off their season by winning the SEC Championship over a Georgia team that won the last two national titles.
While Michigan has been ranked higher all season, I just think Alabama has more talent on their roster. Based on the rankings of the recruiting and transfer classes the programs have brought in alone, Alabama should be a heavy favorite. In addition, Nick Saban is almost unbeatable under any circumstances, but especially so when given a month to prepare for a single game. Milroe and the offensive line looked completely transformed in the win over Georgia from the hapless showing against Texas. The Wolverines haven’t faced a talent like Milroe yet this season.
But why I ultimately landed on taking Alabama and the points is the opinions of the coaches of the Big Ten and SEC when interviewed anonymously by The Athletic. Both sets of coaches think Michigan will have to execute perfectly and play a flawless game to contend with the Tide. When the folks getting paid millions of dollars to analyze College Football all align on the same view, I’ll risk my money that they’re right.
Either way, the Rose Bowl shapes up to be an exciting game in a chaotic season.
Tim, is this Sabans best coaching season of his career?
Also with Texas being favored by 4 points and the O/U at 63.5, where would you put your money on this game?