| You should never believe anyone who tells you that | | | | of his community when he was a young man in |
| you only have one option, in particular when that | | | | Amsterdam. |
| person tries to justify his view by quoting some trite | | | | In July 1656, when Spinoza was 24 years old, the rabbi |
| anti-philosophical remark. Never pay attention to people | | | | of the synagogue, after having consulted the elders, |
| who tell you that, in life, you cannot get what you want. | | | | gave him an ultimatum. He was to stop asking |
| The ability to find alternative paths is critical to get out | | | | questions during lectures. He was to stop talking to |
| of losing situations. | | | | other young men about tolerance and individual |
| If your parts supplier tells you that you have no choice, | | | | freedom. In a word, he was to stop thinking differently |
| find a new supplier. If your internet provider acts as | | | | than everybody else in the community. |
| though you have no alternative, change providers. If an | | | | Although the rabbi uttered his threat in a soft voice, he |
| expensive computer repair shop tells you that they are | | | | painted clearly the consequences of non-compliance. |
| the only experts in your type of machine, throw away | | | | Expulsion from the synagogue was tantamount to |
| the old computer and purchase another brand. | | | | lifelong ostracism. If Spinoza refused to conform to |
| Should your bank tell you that you have no other | | | | social conventions, all doors would be closed to him. |
| possibility, go and open accounts in three other banks. | | | | "We expect your answer on the last Sabbath of the |
| If your plumber tells you that your have no alternative, | | | | month," concluded the rabbi, already anticipating his |
| learn how to replace the kitchen tabs yourself. When a | | | | victory. In his view, no one would be foolish enough to |
| painter tells you that he is the only choice in town, hire | | | | throw away a bright professional future in an |
| someone else to paint your house. | | | | established community for the sake of some |
| The life of Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) provides one | | | | nonsense about truth. On July 27th, Spinoza returned |
| of the best examples of how a man can create | | | | to the synagogue. The rabbi and the elders were |
| alternatives where none seem to exist. In his essay | | | | awaiting him. "What have you decided?" they asked. |
| Ethics he wrote that "the human mind is designed for | | | | "Are you with us or are you on your own?" |
| exercising memory and imagination." Few men in | | | | "A man must be guided by reason, if he is to remain |
| History have shown such extraordinary courage as | | | | fully a man," answered Spinoza. "Without the urge to |
| Spinoza, whose dismissal of conformity estranged him | | | | understand and the freedom to search for answers, |
| from his family and made him a social and financial | | | | neither truth nor happiness are possible." After leaving |
| pariah. | | | | Amsterdam, Spinoza moved thirty kilometres south |
| Born into a wealthy family of Jewish merchants and | | | | and created a new community from scratch: a group |
| destined to a life of economic comfort, Spinoza's free | | | | of free-thinking intellectuals who would spread around |
| spirit already began to outgrow the narrow traditions | | | | the world his ideas about tolerance. |