Understanding Spinoza with Neal Grossman

Neal Grossman, PhD, is an emeritus associate professor of philosophy at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He is author of Conversations with Socrates and Plato: How a Post-Materialist Social Order Can Solve the Challenges of Modern Life and Insure Our Survival. He is also author of The Spirit of Spinoza: Healing the Mind.

Here he points out that the 17th century philosopher, Benedict Spinoza, was excommunicated from the Jewish community of Amsterdam. He did not believe that God was wholly separate from creation, but rather that the universe is created from God and is, therefore part of God. We are like cells in the body of God. Spinoza was a rationalist. The main thrust of his philosophy was to enable individuals to have the experience of unity with the divine. As such, he was one of philosophy's greatest mystics.

New Thinking Allowed host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is a past vice-president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology; and is the recipient of the Pathfinder Award from that Association for his contributions to the field of human consciousness exploration.

(Recorded on October 17, 2019)

[anonymoushuman]

It's wonderful to find a philosophy professor who is indeed a philosopher, one devoted to wisdom.

[docjaramillo]

Thank you Dr. Grossman for sharing your insights and enthusiasm for this brilliant thinker and guide to a better life.

[saltlifegull]

Wow amazing! Dr. Neal is so humble while being so brilliant. Both Neal and Jeffrey smile the entire time, what kind and extraordinary men they are! Thanks so much for sharing your mission to increase the understanding of human consciousness.

[elizaengen]

Extraordinary conversation. We could learn a lot from Grossman not just as an academic philosopher but as a spiritual guide.

[gullwingsg]

I wish I understood Spinoza much better. I believe it entirely possible that a combination of the Stoics and Spinoza may be the actual Truth.

[johnmcdaniel]

Never stop jeff!! I'm only 26 and I've loved u for almost 10 years! I started with Terence McKenna and john lilly and watched nearly every video since!

[TheTalkWatcher]

BEST SHOW ON YOUTUBE! Thanks for your hard work Jeffery.

[AlanNelsonUNC]

Nice to see Grossman here; I took a course on Spinoza from him at UIC in the 70's.

[anthonygarcia]

Wow, one of the greatest conversations I ever had the privilege of listening too.

[julesjgreig]

Thank you, Jeffrey and Neal. Spinoza can appear daunting so I appreciate how you were both able to make this accessible and relevant.

[pqjjvse]

I had the privilege of being in Dr Grossman’s class on Plato at UIC. Amazing professor

[nerthsphere]

Thank you for the interview, Neal Grossman is absolutely wonderful :)

[SysterEuropa]

Superb. One of the very best discussions that Jeffery has ever had. Thank you Neal Grossman and Jeffery Mishlove.

[jennyrook]

So fascinating that so many great thinkers come to the same understanding, that all is one and that that unity is divine. I’m so glad to understand Spinoza more now...my thanks for yet another ‘enlightening’ (and it is!) interview.

[msokol]

I've been drawn to Spinoza's teachings for the past year, but I couldn't distill why. I think Neil and Jeffrey succeeded in distilling Spinoza's contribution to peace of mind in a subtle and precise way. I'm so glad I discovered this channel, this interview and this book😊

[mohithrai]

Thank you to both of you...
very fascinating talk!

[jacobdillow]

Dr Grossman’s book “The Spirit of Spinoza” is a book that is very much worth buying and reading. Highly recommended.

[apeman]

Thank you, Jeffery and all for allowing such wonderful conversations to take place

[bobdillaber]

His goal is "To take the reader by his hand and lead him to his own divinity."
OMG! For the last 10 years that's exactly what i have been doing with my own writing! I never saw it as such until this very moment. I don't know if this is allowed but i wrote a story called, "The Stranger" which does just that but i never saw it as such until this very moment. If anyone is interested you can Google, Tales with a Twist Ponytail Bob. Im not doing this to gain anything for myself. Im happy with all that i have and don't have today at 85 years old. And i must say i just discovered Spinoza ONE WEEK AGO. His philosophy fits like the best shoe ever in my entire life. It's like, I discovered Spinoza before i ever knew he existed. Damn, aint life grand!

[rajeevjosephpalakkacherry]

i love this man, Neal Grossman, you are a true philosopher a seeker