"VERBUM DEI"

With this event, the Faculty of Philosophy inaugurates PRAGMATEIA: a series of lectures by eminent specialists on classic texts of philosophy.

The first classic is the Theological-Political Treatise by Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677). Published anonymously in Amsterdam in 1670, it immediately aroused considerable controversy about its danger to worship and religion: some even went so far as to call it "a book forged in hell." Spinoza argues in it that Scripture is the "word of God" insofar as it arouses in men the "true religion" which consists in loving one's neighbor, and that ecclesiastical authorities should have no role in the government of a modern state. The political chapters of the work are a call for tolerance, especially "freedom to philosophize" without interference from authorities, and democracy.

Prof. Francesco Toto's lecture will focus mainly on Books XII-XIV, which deal with Holy Scripture.