Baruch Spinoza was one of the frontrunners of radical thinking who coined a new school of belief called Spinozism. Since an early age, he despised the traditional teachings and believed in conventional philosophies due to which he became one amongst the greatest rationalists of the 17th century. His posthumous publication, ‘The Ethics’, which is regarded as his magnum opus, earned him recognition as one of Western philosophy’s most important thinkers. The book entailed his criticism of the traditional beliefs and philosophical conceptions of God, human beings, nature and universe as a whole. It also outrageously criticized the religions, theological and moral beliefs. Throughout his lifetime, his ideologies and beliefs made him a controversial figure. Neither were they accepted in Jewish religious circles nor were they appraised by the Christian communities. It was only in 18th and later 19th century that his works were being recognised as important literary masterpieces. Apart from being a philosopher, Spinoza was also a lens grinder and made his living out of grinding lenses.
