Paperback edition 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The foundation of perfectionism -- Pantheism and determinism -- Vital endeavor and the ground of virtue -- The diagnosis of the passions -- A this-worldly salvation -- Psychotherapy and virtue -- 'What is in my power to do' -- Agreeing with nature -- The sociality of virtue -- A. spinoza's critique of perfectionism -- 'Nothing is more advantageous to man than man' -- Sociality and the diffusion of enlightenment -- Stoic political reason -- Cosmopolis and political duty -- The predicament of politics -- The apotheosis of the free man -- Reason of state -- State of nature, nature of state -- Political right and the most natural state -- The highest form of devotion -- Spinoza's liberalism -- The philosopher in the state -- Christ, the Apostles and Solomon : models of public philosophers? -- Philosophical caution, political interest.

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2013. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.