Hobbes and Spinoza

Time: 10:00am - 6:30pm 

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

In the last decade many claims have been made to the effect that Spinoza is the father of modernity, particularly of liberal democracy. It is further claimed that the new visions and practices of the sciences, especially natural philosophy, supported this approach to understanding the world.  Yet it seems that Thomas Hobbes, a materialist and mechanist, preceded and articulated many similar views. Hobbes published theories about the nature of natural philosophy, about explanations by causes, about method and how scientific knowledge is gained, about the science of government, and about the relations between science and religion. This workshop will discuss in detail the relations between Hobbes and Spinoza, while acknowledging and exploring the different projects that each had.

The organizers believe that a workshop should primarily be a forum for discussion. No papers will be delivered. Discussion sessions, divided by theme, will each have a coordinator who will provide 5 minutes of opening remarks.  The sessions will be as follows:

1. THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY. The parts of philosophy and their relation to one another. In particular, the scope of natural philosophy, the nature of causality, and its relation to ethics and politics. Hobbes’ Elementa project and its relation to the project of the Ethics. Where do the TTP and the TP fit in?
2. PHILOSOPHICAL METHOD. Analysis and synthesis in Hobbes, and the role of definitions. Relations between Hobbes’ method and the geometrical method of the Ethics. Again, how do the TTP and the TP fit in?
3. THE IDEA OF A SCIENCE OF POLITICS. What that means, in different ways, for Hobbes and Spinoza. For Hobbes the state begins when we leave the state of nature. Do we ever leave the state of nature according to Spinoza?
4. NATURALISM. Naturalism in Hobbes and Spinoza, similarities and differences. Is Spinoza’s call for realism in politics in the opening chapter of the TP directed against Hobbes?
5. RELIGION. What roles does religion play in the politics of Hobbes and of Spinoza? How do they each use Biblical interpretation?

Texts for discussion will be identified and circulated.

The number of participants will be limited in order to facilitate discussion.  We have funds to pay for a hotel for two nights per participant, as well as a workshop dinner, but there is no money to pay for transportation.

If you wish to attend the workshop, please write a short, one-page statement explaining why the topic is important to you, and send it along with your CV to Peter Machamer ([email protected]). Graduate students working on relevant topics are encouraged to apply.

Applications are due by April 15, 2013.  Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by June 1.