Ethics: with The Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect and Selected Letters (Hackett Classics)

the spinoza translations by samuel shirley are considered the best, if not standard, english versions of his works, and while a hardback edition is available which comprises everything that survives of what spinoza wrote, this paperback selected edition is perhaps superior and is certainly the most convenient. spinoza's major work (the "ethics") is included entire, as is the most important surviving fragment (the "emendation of the intellect"), with a judicious selection of the letters exchanged between spinoza and the few friends asking for clarification of his philosophical ideas.a considerable added attraction is the translator's preface, which is an extremely helpful dictionary of spinoza's key concepts, and the introduction by editor seymour feldman, which is a synopsis of a seminar on spinoza's philosophy. almost by itself worth the price of the book is the single paragraph explicating the difference between "natura naturans" and "natura naturata", spinoza's terms for the dual attributes of "substance" (which spinoza radically reinterpreted as the lawful and physical "god in nature") and the lawfulness and interpretability of what we would today informally call "reality".my single complaint is that the book i received is printed on high quality newsprint paper, which makes the volume less durable to time and treatment and to the reader's highlighting or marginal notes. if that might be an issue, get the hardback complete works.

A lucid translation in a well-priced edition of one of the most heroic volumes in the literature of the Enlightenment. The selection of Letters and the Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect are a great bonus. And all of it comes in an easy-to-read lay out with incisive but unobtrusive support for the reader.

Spinoza's writing will leave with a greater appreciation for philosophy and mans place in the universe. One of the great philosophers of history. It’s a difficult book to get through, but well worth it.

came in good condition

Now if I could only understand it

Its new, buybit from here using it for class

A truly mind-blowing work of western philosophy, in one of the clearer translations with useful additions.

The best and most important book I have ever read.

Jonathan Bennett, the Spinoza expert says of this edition that, "it improves on all of its predecessors, and is thoroughly usable for low pressure study of the work; but for serious scholarly or philosophical research the version in E.M Curley's "The Collected Works of Spinoza", vol.1 (Princeton U. press, 1985) is indispensable (and I might add very expensive). That edition is however less fluent and pleasing than this one, but is the standard of accuracy - a real mirroring of the Latin in English - to which this edition does not aspire". This edition is not only pleasing and fluent, but is also a very carefully considered translation. There are detailed notes on the translation decisions taken and a very useful glossary of terms. That this edition also includes the "Emendation of the Intellect", Spinoza's treatise on ways of acquiring knowledge and also the essential letters necessary to understand Spinoza's meaning on various issues considered in "The Ethics" are very important additions. The version by Elwes, and the edition by White and Shirley are both highly defective and should not be used. This edition is therefore highly recommended and the one of choice for most general uses.

The book is intact, perfect quality, thanks. Fast delivery!

Great condition as advertised!