The following is a list of notable correspondence (Epistolae) of the Dutch philosopher Benedictus de Spinoza (1633-1677) with well-known learned men and with his admirers. These letters were published after Spinoza's death in the Opera Posthuma (Dutch translated edition: De nagelate schriften, 1677).[1] Spinoza had preserved the incoming letters and drafts of the letters he sent. In total 88 letters, predominantly concerning philosophical subjects have been handed down: 50 by Spinoza and 38 by his correspondents, 52 written in Latin and 26 in Dutch. The letters discuss topics from Spinoza's own work including infinity and the attributes (properties) of "God", Spinoza's concept of the universe) but also touch on subjects such as ghosts and scientific discoveries, for example the vacuum.[2]
Title page of B.d.S.: Epistolae doctorum quorumdam virorum, 1677, in Latin and Dutch. Translated title: Letters of learned men with answers. Published posthumously.
Letter of Benedictus de Spinoza (Gebhardt number 27) to Willem van Blijenbergh, written at Voorburg on 3 June 1665. In Dutch.
Short letter (Gebhardt number 49) of Spinoza to the Utrecht professor Johannes Georgius Graevius of 14 December 1664. In Latin. .
Short letter (Gebhardt number 46) of Spinoza to Leibniz of 9 November 1671. In Latin.
The date of the letter is given with a correction for the Old/New Style dating system. A selection from the letters:
[3][4][5][6][7]
Boyle thanks Spinoza through Oldenburg for his comments. B. lacked the time to answer Spinoza himself and had to defend himself against attacks on his books about the pressure and expansion of gases. The Royal Society has been founded. Oldenburg exhorts Spinoza to publish in his own free Dutch Republic (Republic of the Seven United Netherlands).
Discusses Spinoza's work with a group of people.[9] Asks two questions about nature in the Ethica and the opinion of others. Mentions Casearius, Borelli, Tacquet and Clavius. Questions Ethica part 1 theorem 8 remark 3 and theorem 19 remark 2.
Calls on Spinoza to publish his books Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione (Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect) and Ethica, the definition of motion and the difference between true and adequate ideas.
↑ Publications by, for example, the Italian publishing house Quodlibet: quodlibet.it Opera posthuma F. Mignini ed., Amsterdam 1677. Photografic reproduction.
↑ "Spinoza Web. About". spinozaweb.org. Spinoza’s Web project of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Utrecht University. 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
Title page of B.d.S.: Epistolae doctorum quorumdam virorum, 1677, in Latin and Dutch. Translated title: Letters of learned men with answers. Published posthumously.
Letter of Benedictus de Spinoza (Gebhardt number 27) to Willem van Blijenbergh, written at Voorburg on 3 June 1665. In Dutch.
Short letter (Gebhardt number 49) of Spinoza to the Utrecht professor Johannes Georgius Graevius of 14 December 1664. In Latin. .
Short letter (Gebhardt number 46) of Spinoza to Leibniz of 9 November 1671. In Latin.
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