The Problem of Spinoza’s Evolution: From the Theologico-Political Treatise to the Political Treatise

Abstract

In this essay, Matheron reflects on his previous work, in particular, concerning the account he gave of the difference between Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise and the unfinished Political Treatise. Does Spinoza every abandon the contractarian language that clearly characterises the former, but which appears to be absent in the latter? To respond to this question, Matheron responds to a number of objections that have been raised concerning his response over the years. Basing his response on the work of Christian Lazzeri, Matheron argues that the key shift between the two works can be explained by the Spinozist theory of affective imitation that is only developed in the Ethics, that is, after the publication of the TTP. Why, then, did Spinoza not explicitly mark this change? Matheron suggests because it has the unfortunate, but necessary consequence of implying that all political society is founded upon indignation.