Galileo and Spinoza: Historical and Theoretical Perspectives

The philosophies of both Galileo and Spinoza are formed through a dialogue with their time, so they share, by necessity, cultural heritage and fundamental problems: this does not mean relying on a horizon without boundaries, but giving as precise as possible an historical setting to this heritage is the first step to penetrate the thoughts of two philosophers; this setting is also the original form of relationship which connects them indissolubly. A way out of indeterminacy is to acknowledge that the common horizon is revolution, as much scientific as philosophical, which characterised European culture between the sixteenth and seventeenth century: a generally anti-Aristotelian attitude, but more notably a controversial anti-Scholasticism attitude, to which they make counterpoint Renaissance thought contributions, are the most obvious connotations. If the purpose, common both to Galileo and Spinoza, is the erosion of tradition, one cannot deny that old stones are used for the construction of the new building: Giacomo Zabarella is undoubtedly one of those stones.