Abstract

While the work of Benedict de Spinoza has been a source of inspiration and curiosity for a variety of literary and artistic figures,1 his grounding philosophical principles are often cited as a hindrance for a productive engagement with art and art theory. Certain commentators cite Spinoza's "naturalism" and "rationalism" as reasons for his philosophy's "hostility" to art and culture.2 But these criticisms only prevail if: one holds that works of art and literature ought to have an ontological ground other than the natural, and if art and literature are given in opposition to reason and rationality. In contrast to such studies that focus on the...