The tercentenary of the birth in Amsterdam of the great Jewish philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, which occurs on November 24th, was marked here by the International Philosophic Congress.
The Congress, which was held under the auspices of the Societas Spinozana, was attended by representatives of the Queen, the Dutch Government and many distinguished scholars from practically every country in the world.
It was a remarkable coincidence that the meeting was held in the same hall, the so-called Rol-Hall, where in former days the verdict of the Court of Holland was pronounced, forbidding the publication of the famous “Tractatus Theologico-Politicus” of Spinoza.
A large painted portrait of Spinoza was put up beside the pulpit. Great interest was evoked by the presence of Sir Frederick Pollock, of London, representing the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, who, 55 years ago, attended the Spinoza Commemoration meeting held two hundred years after the great philosopher’s death. Professor Oko of Cincinnai, member of the Board of the Spinoza Society, and Professor Erdman of Columbia University, New York, were also present, while Dr. J. Shatzky represented the Spinoza Institute of America.
The opening address was delivered by Professor Dr. Leo Polak, the well known Dutch philosopher, of the University of Groningen, and Chairman of the Dutch branch of the Spinoza Society and of the International Memorial Committee.
Professor Polak expressed his thanks for the great international interest shown by the large number of brilliant scholars present.
It must have been great for Spinoza, Professor Polak said, to live in his days, but it is greater to live three centuries later, when so many sciences have made progress to an extent never dreamed of before, enabled to advance in the light of complete spiritual freedom. Mankind owes this to master minds, and martyrs, of whom Spinoza was one of the very greatest, who have delivered the truth from compulsion and humanity from inquisition.
The speaker reminded his audience of the condemnation of Spinoza’s work in the very hall in which they were now met. What a contrast, Professor Polak exclaimed, the Maledictus of former days and the Benedictus of our time — a dead dog and a living lion !
When the Rt. Hon. Sir Frederick Pollock appeared on the platform, bringing the greetings of the Vice-Chancel-
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