summary

Summary

The novel "The Spinoza Problem" by Irvin Yalom intertwines two parallel stories: the life of 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza and Nazi ideologue Alfred Rosenberg. Spinoza, exiled from the Jewish community for his radical ideas, seeks truth and freedom of thought. Meanwhile, Rosenberg, obsessed with anti-Semitism, grapples with the paradox of how a Jewish philosopher could have such an influence on German culture. Through these two narratives, Yalom explores themes of tolerance, fanaticism, and the power of ideas, illustrating how philosophical concepts can intersect with historical events and personal beliefs.