Traces and Influences of Spinozism in the first decades of the 19th century in Argentina

Abstract

Can traces of Baruch Spinoza’s thought be identified in Argentina in the 19th century? This article argues that it is possible to establish certain lines of affinity and reciprocity between Spinozist philosophy and the ideas of local philosophers of the time. We propose that the reception of Spinozism in France and Germany, mediated through key thinkers who influenced Argentine intellectuals, served as the primary channel through which conceptual frameworks of Spinoza’s philosophy were received. Our hypothesis suggests that a philosophical reception of Spinozist theses can be discerned in the productions of Argentine intellectuals of the 19th century. This reception, shaped by other sources and interpretations, intertwines with the diverse readings of Spinozism that proliferated in France and Germany in the 18th century. At the same time, it reveals a unique local dimension, addressing issues and questions specific to Argentine philosophy of the period. We will argue that the concepts through which this speculative connection can be established directly engage with Spinoza’s ethical-political project. This dimension subsequently shaped the reception of Spinozism in Argentina during the 20th century.