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Jo van Cauter is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University specializing in early modern philosophy and the history of philosophy. His research primarily focuses on how religion and politics intersect, addressing the so-called 'theological-political problem', which includes the confrontation between reason and revelation and its epistemological, ethical, and political ramifications. Van Cauter's studies often examine the works of prominent early modern thinkers such as Machiavelli, Bacon, Hobbes, Descartes, Pascal, Spinoza, Locke, and Hume, particularly how they grappled with the question of vindicating God and religion within the framework of the new 'natural' world. Spinoza's philosophy, or Spinozism, is a central theme in his work. He has published extensively on various aspects of Spinozism, including its metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics, as well as on Spinoza's commentaries related to Francis Bacon and Quakerism, among others. His research also explores neglected intellectual currents and manuscripts from the early modern period, aiming to enhance understanding of the development of philosophy and theology during that time. Through evaluating historiography, he offers fresh perspectives on iconic early modern philosophers and is particularly interested in Spinoza's relationship with Erasmus.
Department of Psychology