Spinoza on knowing, being and freedom: Proceedings of the Spinoza Symposium at the International School of Philosophy in the Netherlands, Leusden, September 1973

In September 1973 nearly 20 Spinoza scholars from all parts of the word came together in the International School of Philosophy at Leusden (Netherlands). They were invited by the Director of the School to discuss Spinoza's Epistemology. On the first day two publis lectures were delivered by Arne Naess (Oslo University) on Spinoza's doctrine of freedom, and by G.H.R. Parkinson (Reading University) on the problem of knowing and being in Spinoza. On the following days the symposiasts debted on the papers written by the members. Although the main point of discussion was Spinoza's theory of knowledge, it became necessary to discuss on subjects such as ontology and metaphysics, rationalism and mysticism, determination and freedom. This volume contains the introduction by J. G. Van der Bend, the lectures of Naess and Parkinson, followed by 13 papers. It was not possible to give a comprehensive report of all discussions. A short retrospect commentary by H.G. Hubbeling has been added, from which may appear the different distinctions of possible interpretations of Spinoza's philosophy and its actuality for recent philosophical trends of our times.