Benedictus Spinoza (1632-77) was among the most important of the post-Cartesian philosophers of the second half of the seventeenth century. He made original contributions in every major area of philosophy. His work reflects the influences of Stoicism, Maimonides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Descartes, and others. Spinoza is best known for his Ethics, which is often held up as a supreme example of a self-contained metaphysical system intended to explain the universe. Some of his psychological influences, perhaps lesser known, anticipated Freud. This book is the first to offer an accessible, encyclopedic account of Spinoza's life and ideas, his influences and commentators, and his lasting significance. Some of the best features include an annotated chronology of Spinoza's life, bibliographies of his major influences and critics, a substantive dictionary of key Spinozan concepts, and summaries of Spinoza's principal writings. The work concludes with an essay on Spinoza's place in modern academic scholarship. This work is a valuable tool for anyone interested in Spinoza and the era of great change in which he lived and wrote.

This 2nd edition Handbook of Spinoza retains a unique focus on the biographical details of Spinoza’s life, as well as essential scholarship on his influences and early critics. A glossary of key Latin Spinozan terms with English translations remains a key feature alongside short synopses of Spinoza’s writings. Adding to the updated contemporary scholarship on Spinoza from across Europe and the US is the recognition of Spinoza’s influence more globally. Distinct from other reference works on Spinoza, this book offers the tools and methodology necessary for students and scholars who are completing their own research. Accompanying each main section is an updated and detailed bibliography that situates both the summative and original scholarship therein. This 2nd edition includes a revised biography from Jeroen van de Ven who has systematically revisited the archive; influences will now include reference to Machiavelli and Hobbes primarily, as well as remarks on the De La Court brothers, La Perèyre, and Delmedigo. A new entry on the critic, Willem van Blijenbergh, alongside a reconstruction of dozens of letters now lost from Spinoza consolidates new directions of study which are supported by additional glossary terms on Axioma (cf. Ordo geometricus), Definitio (ibid.), Excommunicare, Lumen, Methodus, Negatio, Pax, Ratio, (Cf. Cognitio), Scientia intuitiva, and Tempus amongst others. Maintaining an approach that is refreshingly independent of the historicist/analytic/continental divide, this work features scholars from across these traditions, and remains an essential point of reference for students and scholars alike.

The book discusses the interrelated dynamics of schooling, society and inclusive education, focussing on the knowledge and skills Teacher Education students need to make sense of their professional and social environment and to engage with the realities of schooling in South Africa and Africa. The book comprises three parts of 17 chapters. Part one looks at various theories in education and their applications to teaching and learning in the context of oriental and indigenous theories in education. Theories are presented in such a way as to enable students to understand, as well as to know how to apply theories to their everyday classroom experience. Part two of this book focusses on the child and environmental dynamics. At the end of the readings in this part, students should be able to discuss the theory on which the ecology of the child is based; explain the various layers of the theory; explain the interconnectedness of the home, school and society in the overall ecology of the child; apply the experiences gained from this unit to your everyday dealings with your pupils; and understand the implications of this theory to the overall development and wellbeing of the child. The final part of the book looks at the concept of Education for All. In this section, problems and prospects of barriers to formal learning are explored, as well as focussing on educating children with disabilities. The last chapter takes a more interactive approach to understanding the dynamics of Education for All and Inclusive Education.

Benedictus Spinoza (1632-77) was among the most important of the post-Cartesian philosophers of the second half of the seventeenth century and is still widely studied today. He made original contributions in every major area of philosophy and is best known for his "Ethics," which is often held up as a supreme example of a self-contained metaphysical system intended to explain the universe."The Bloomsbury Companion to Spinoza" is the first to offer an accessible, encyclopaedic account of Spinoza's life and ideas, his influences and commentators, and his lasting significance. Some of the best features include an annotated chronology of Spinoza's life, bibliographies of his major influences and critics, a substantive dictionary of key Spinozan concepts, summaries of Spinoza's principal writings and concludes with a chapter on Spinoza's place in modern academic scholarship. The volume is also updated with words on the recent major event in Spinoza scholarship with the discovery of the Vatican manuscript of Spinoza's "Ethics." "The Bloomsbury Companion to Spinoza" is a valuable research tool for anyone interested in Spinoza and the era of great change in which he lived and wrote.