Charitable Interpretations and the Political Domestication of Spinoza, or, Benedict in the Land of the Secular Imagination

Abstract

This essay discusses the method of so-called "charitable" interpretations in the history of philosophy. The first part discusses the general logic of charitable interpretations in the history of philosophy, mostly concentrating on discussions in metaphysics and epistemology. The second part focuses on the somewhat less noticed use of charitable interpretations in the study of political philosophy, and points out the quintessential role ideology plays in these discussions. Both parts discuss mainly various interpretations of Spinoza’s thought. The final part outlines an alternative methodology, which suggests that past philosophers can be most relevant to our current philosophical discussion, to the extent that they provide us with well-motivated challenges to our common-sense beliefs. Such challenges have the invaluable virtue of being able to undermine our most fundamental and secure beliefs, and force us to engage with the most fundamental questions. What more can we expect from good philosophy?

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