Reintroducing Spinoza to the social media generation
Reintroducing Spinoza to the social media generation newspress_en Wed, 08/26/2026 - 06:00 Culture & Social Affairs The 17th-century Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza sought to inaugurate an intellectual transformation that would redefine the fundamental relations between people and the world, between reason and emotion, and between freedom and necessity. Yet for decades he was considered an…
In 2026, French philosopher Philippe Saltel introduced a new book, "Spinoza on the Beach," to help the modern generation understand the 17th-century Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Spinoza sought to revolutionize the relationship between people, the world, reason, emotion, and freedom. However, his ideas appeared abstract and inaccessible due to his geometric writing style.
Saltel's book aimed to make Spinoza's complex philosophical system accessible to the general reader while maintaining its depth and avoiding oversimplification.
Saltel's approach brought Spinoza's ideas closer to contemporary readers by highlighting their relevance to modern concerns, such as environmental crises, psychological struggles, and the fast-paced nature of life. He moved away from the traditional image of Spinoza as a secluded scholar, instead presenting him as a person who faced intense intellectual, religious, and worldly challenges during his relatively short life.
One of the key aspects of Spinoza's philosophy, according to Saltel, is the concept of the "conatus" – the striving to maintain existence. This fundamental impulse is evident in human actions, desires, and emotions. Saltel encouraged readers to recognize these concepts in their everyday lives, such as the desire for success, fear of failure, search for love, and efforts to maintain friendships. He argued that philosophy should serve as a practical tool for understanding the underlying structure of human experience.
Saltel then delved into Spinoza's metaphysics, challenging the notion of a transcendent God controlling the universe. Instead, Spinoza saw God and Nature as two names for the same substance or reality. This perspective is not atheistic nor primitive pagan, but rather a rational understanding of an orderly universe governed by necessary laws.
In this view, humans are not separate from nature but are integral parts of it. Understanding these laws liberates individuals from illusion and servitude, leading to genuine freedom. By recognizing the causes that shape their thoughts, desires, and actions, people can attain a more authentic sense of freedom.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
