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Dr. Steven Nadler - The Life of Philosopher Baruch Spinoza (The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad_912)

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Nov 5, 2025

Guest

Steven Nadler

In this discussion, Steven Nadler, a prominent philosopher and expert on Spinoza, delves into the intriguing life and radical views of Baruch Spinoza. He explores Spinoza's excommunication from the Jewish community and his bold ideas about God and scripture, arguing Spinoza's stance aligns more with atheism than pantheism. Nadler also highlights how Spinoza's lens-grinding trade influenced his philosophy, reflects on his relevance today, and shares his thoughts on the ongoing study of great thinkers and the challenges of postmodern intellectualism.

47:02

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INSIGHT

Spinoza As A Quiet Radical

Spinoza was radical but not combative; he disliked scandal and confrontation.
His major break with his community came from bold philosophical claims about God, scripture, and immortality.

insights

INSIGHT

Treatise That Shook Europe

The Theological-Political Treatise anonymously attacked church and state authority and caused huge scandal.
Authorities labeled it a book "forged in hell," showing its explosive reception across Europe.

insights

INSIGHT

God As Nature, Not Deity

Spinoza identifies God with nature and rejects a transcendent personal deity.
Nadler argues this amounts to atheism, not pantheism, because Spinoza denies worshipful reverence.

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Spinoza's Early Life and Excommunication

02:08 • 4min

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Spinoza's Radical Views on God and the Bible

06:12 • 3min

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Was Spinoza an Atheist or Pantheist?

09:23 • 3min

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Spinoza's Theology and the Role of Scripture

12:09 • 58sec

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Can One Be Jewish and Reject Belief?

13:06 • 3min

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Evolutionary Accounts of Religion and Spinoza's Natural History

16:08 • 3min

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Did Lens-Grinding Shape Spinoza's Philosophy?

19:21 • 1min

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The Harem as Early Cancel Culture

20:51 • 4min

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Why Nadler Chose 17th-Century Philosophy and Spinoza

25:04 • 5min

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Spinoza's Place in Popular Culture

30:05 • 5min

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Views on Postmodernism and Intellectual Trends

34:42 • 2min

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Why Some Intellectuals Use Opaque Language

36:13 • 2min

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The Lifelong Study of Spinoza, Leibniz, and Maimonides

38:10 • 2min

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A Dream Dinner Party of Historical Minds

39:41 • 5min

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Current Projects and Personal Life

44:17 • 2min

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Spinoza in Film and Visual Art

Why Read Maimonides Today?

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Stephen Nadler

Explores the relevance and importance of studying Maimonides' works in the modern era.

Argues that Spinoza's philosophical views align more closely with atheism than with pantheism or traditional theism.

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Girl with a Pearl Earring

Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is a historical fiction novel set in 17th-century Delft, Netherlands. It tells the fictionalized story of Griet, a young maid working in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer. The novel explores the relationship between Griet and Vermeer, focusing on her role as his model and the impact of their interactions on her life. Chevalier's narrative weaves together historical details with imagined events, creating a compelling portrait of a young woman's life in a time of artistic and social change. The novel's success led to a film adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.

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• Mentioned in 11 episodes

A Guide to the Perplexed

Dalalat al-Ha'irin

Maimonides

Maimonides' "Guide for the Perplexed" is a seminal work of medieval philosophy that attempts to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy with Jewish theology. The book addresses the challenges faced by those struggling to reconcile faith and reason, offering a framework for understanding religious texts allegorically rather than literally. It explores themes of prophecy, divine attributes, and the nature of reality, providing a sophisticated intellectual defense of religious belief. Its influence extended far beyond Jewish thought, shaping the intellectual landscape of the Middle Ages and beyond. The work remains relevant today for its exploration of the complex relationship between faith and reason.

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• Mentioned in 7 episodes

The order of things

Michel Foucault

In 'The Order of Things,' Michel Foucault examines the historical development of the human sciences, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics. He introduces the concept of 'episteme,' which refers to the underlying structure of thought that defines what is considered true and acceptable in a given historical period. Foucault analyzes how these epistemes change over time, particularly from the Classical Age to Modernity, and how they influence the fields of language, biology, and economics. The book is known for its complex and detailed analysis, including a forensic examination of Diego Velázquez's painting 'Las Meninas' to illustrate the structural parallels in perception and representation.

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Darwin's Cathedral

David Sloan Wilson

In 'Darwin's Cathedral', David Sloan Wilson proposes that religion is a multi-level adaptation that enhances group cooperation and survival. He examines various religious traditions, arguing that religious behaviors promote group cohesion and altruism. The book challenges secularization theory by highlighting the adaptive benefits of religion in modern societies.

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• Mentioned in 73 episodes

The Parasitic Mind

How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense

\"Gad Saad\"

In 'The Parasitic Mind,' Dr. Gad Saad exposes the harmful effects of 'idea pathogens'—irrational and logically flawed ideas that are spreading through universities and enforced by the tyranny of political correctness. These ideas, Saad argues, are endangering fundamental freedoms such as freedom of thought and speech. The book is a call to action, encouraging readers to use critical thinking and courage to defend reason and intellectual freedom. Saad discusses various topics including university 'safe spaces,' gender ideology, postmodernism, and the decline of intellectual diversity in academia, all while advocating for the importance of questioning and challenging prevailing dogma.

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• Mentioned in 14 episodes

The Goldfinch

Donna Tartt

The novel centers around 13-year-old Theodore Decker, whose life dramatically changes after he survives a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where his mother is killed. During the chaos, Theo takes the famous Dutch painting 'The Goldfinch' by Carel Fabritius. The story follows Theo's journey through grief, guilt, and his complex relationships, including his friendship with Boris and his involvement in the art underworld. The novel spans several years, detailing Theo's struggles with identity, loss, and the impact of the painting on his life.

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The Philosopher, The Priest and the Painter

A Portrait of Descartes

Stephen Nadler

A portrait of Descartes, exploring his life, philosophy, and influence on intellectual history.

An analysis of Rembrandt's portrayals of Jews in 17th-century Amsterdam, examining the historical and cultural context.

A biography of Baruch Spinoza, exploring his life, philosophical contributions, and historical context.

#54550

Best of All Possible Worlds

Karen Lord

Steven is the Vilas Research Professor and the William H. Hay II Professor of Philosophy, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Director of the Institute for Research in the Humanities at UW-Madison. He specializes in 17th century philosophy with a focus on Spinoza, Descartes, and Leibniz.

His books include:

Spinoza: A Life (1999)

Rembrandt’s Jews (2003)

The Best of All Possible Worlds: A Story of Philosophers, God, and Evil (2008)

The Philosopher, the Priest, and the Painter: A Portrait of Descartes (2013)

Why Bad Thinking Happens to Good People: How Philosophy Can Save Us from Ourselves (2021), co-authored with Larry Shapiro

He has two forthcoming books in 2026:

Why Read Maimonides Today?

Spinoza, Atheist

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This clip was posted on November 5, 2025 on my YouTube channel as THE SAAD TRUTH_1933: https://youtu.be/qIqBMROrM7I

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Dr. Gad Saad is a professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and author who pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. In addition to his scientific work, Dr. Saad is a leading public intellectual who often writes and speaks about idea pathogens that are destroying logic, science, reason, and common sense.

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