Work · Empiricism, Enlightenment & Liberalism
Letters to Serena
Five letters, the first three addressed to Sophie Charlotte of Prussia (“Serena”), on the origin of prejudices and of the belief in immortality; the last two criticise Spinoza for leaving motion unexplained and argue that motion is essential to matter.
Introduction
Toland published the “Letters to Serena” in London in 1704. The first three letters, addressed to Sophie Charlotte, queen of Prussia, whom he had met in Berlin, deal with the origin and force of prejudices, the history of the belief in the immortality of the soul and the origin of idolatry. The fourth and fifth, addressed to a gentleman in Holland, criticise Spinoza’s system for failing to explain motion and argue that motion is essential to matter. The book is regarded as an important step towards eighteenth-century materialism and was read by d’Holbach and other radical thinkers.
Connections
Criticizes
- Ethics, Demonstrated in Geometrical Order1677 · Baruch de Spinoza
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