Debat: Why Spinoza still matters

The importance of Spinoza's plea for freedom of thought

Intellectual freedom is again under pressure in many countries where people have long taken it for granted. Narrow-minded believers and right-wing thugs want to ban books from public libraries that they believe offend the moral feelings of conservative Christians. Islamist extremists kill people who would hurt the feelings of Muslims. But even in so-called progressive circles, ideas that go against dogmatic theories of racial and social justice are often suppressed. Spinoza's plea for freedom of thought is now more important than ever. His opponents – orthodox Calvinists and fearful rabbis – are no longer the same as they are today. But the problems that Spinoza had to contend with – ecclesiastical, political, and also academic intolerance – are still current. Intellectual freedom must once again be defended against dogmatic thinking.

Language of the program: English