Spinoza, Metaphysics and Political Economy: Ethical Conduct, Social Control, and Public Policy

Spinoza is generally recognized as one of the most important philosophers of the early modern period; less well known are his observations regarding private ethical conduct, social control including state intervention in the market, and public policy including welfare.

This book explores these political economy dimensions of Spinoza’s thought setting them in the context of his own wider work and the broader intellectual history landscape. The discussion in the book takes account of Spinoza’s...