Spinoza
In The Spinoza Problem, Irvin Yalom
contrasts the courage and confidence of Spinoza with the insecurity and
pettiness of Alfred Rosenberg. Spinoza’s curiosity took him beyond his cultural
and customs, and even his community when he was ex-communicated. Yet, his
freedom to think his own thoughts brought him joy unspeakable. On the other
hand, Rosenberg, through he sought to create a ideology of the master race, of
which he was a member, his emotions rose and falls through others’ view of him.
In particular, he sought the approval and praise of Hitler, but the latter only
used him and never respected him. And members of Hitler’s inner circle shunned
and scorned Rosenberg. Both Spinoza and Rosenberg left their marks in history,
one leading latter generations to rise above superstition and muddled thinking,
the other contributing to the death of millions. History can judge them by the
fruits they bore.
The Nuremberg Trial
