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Tractatus Theologico-Politicus

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1670

Spinoza's 1670 book challenging the divine authorship of scripture and defending freedom of thought, published anonymously under a false imprint.

Spinoza wrote this anonymously published treatise, a bold defense of freedom of thought against religious authority.

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Title page of the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, printed in black letter-style serif type with a handwritten inscription 'Auctore Benedicto de Spinoza' and an ornamental woodcut at the bottom, imprint reading Hamburgi, Apud Henricum Kuhrabt, 1670.
Benedictus de Spinoza, Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, 1670 (falsely imprinted 'Hamburgi').

About this source

What it is

The Tractatus Theologico-Politicus is a Latin work of philosophy written by Benedictus de Spinoza and published anonymously in 1670. To protect the author and publisher, the title page falsely named Hamburg as the place of publication.

Why it matters

Spinoza interrupted work on his Ethics to write this book after growing religious intolerance in the Dutch Republic, including the death of his friend Adriaan Koerbagh after imprisonment for similarly controversial writings. The book argues that scripture is not divinely dictated and that the state, not religious leaders, should guarantee freedom of thought. It became one of the most influential and controversial texts of its era, shaping later ideas about secularism and democracy.

Look closer

  • Why do you think Spinoza published this book anonymously and under a false city of printing?
  • What does the fake imprint tell you about the risks of publishing controversial ideas in the 1600s?
  • How might readers at the time have reacted to a book questioning the divine origin of the Bible?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Baruch Spinoza on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of Spinoza's Ethica in Latin. Large capital letters read ETHICA, followed by 'Ordine Geometrico demonstrata, ET In quinque Partes distincta, in quibus agitur', then a list of five parts numbered I to V with Latin titles.Book

Primary source

Ethics

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677 (written 1661-1675)

Oil painting of a man with long dark curly hair, wearing a dark coat and a large white collar, against a dark brown background. He looks toward the viewer with a calm expression.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of Benedictus de Spinoza

Unknown · c. 1665

Title page of a book. At top: 'B. D. S.' Large capitals below read 'OPERA POSTHUMA,' followed by italic Latin text 'Quorum series post Praefationem exhibetur.' A small woodcut ornament of fruit and ribbons sits in the middle, and at the bottom is the date 'MDCLXXVII' written as 'CIO IC CLXXVII' style Roman numerals.Book

Primary source

Opera Posthuma

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677

Title page of a 1677 book in Latin. Large capitals read EPISTOLAE, followed by DOCTORUM QUORUNDAM VIRORUM, AD B. D. S. ET AUCTORIS RESPONSIONES, and a line about elucidating other works. Faded text from another page shows through in the background.Letter

Primary source

Epistolae, Correspondence of Benedict de Spinoza

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1661-1676, published 1677

Open handwritten manuscript on aged, browned paper with ink text in dense cursive lines across both pages, the left page torn at its upper and lower edges. Text is in Latin script, with bold headings and marginal notes.Document

Primary source

Vatican Manuscript of Spinoza's Ethics

Pieter van Gent (copyist), after Benedictus de Spinoza · c. 1675

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