Spinoza’s Views on Prophecy and the Prophets Revisited

Abstract

Abstract Elaborating on Spinoza’s definitions established in the first two chapters in the TTP and discussing them in light of the analysis of the process of the imagination as developed in the Ethics, this chapter argues that Spinoza’s attitude toward the phenomenon of prophecy and the prophets is far less critical than often assumed. In particular, Spinoza’s naturalism with respect to causation of prophecy does not undermine the notion that he takes prophets to play an important role in society. Concretely, it is argued that following Spinoza’s views, prophets may serve as leaders in situations where people lack firm knowledge. The chapter concludes by pointing out that the very problem to which the idea of prophets responds is a problem sub specie durationis. The need for prophets—or leaders—typically arises where knowledge is not available.