Skip to content
  • Home
  • Projects
  • Freethinkers: from Spinoza to the present day 

Freethinkers: from Spinoza to the present day 

On Sunday 5 September 2021, the exhibition Freethinkers: from Spinoza to the present day opened. This exhibition draws connections between contemporary events and historical developments and encourages reflection and discussion. It is an initiative of the Amsterdam Museum and the Humanist Association, which is celebrating its anniversary, and ran until 27 February 2022. For 75 years, the Humanist Association has been committed to free thinking and a democratic constitutional state in which people can live freely and equally. 

Description

What is a freethinker? There are many possible answers to this question. The curators of the exhibition Freethinkers: from Spinoza to the present day see freethinkers as innovators, idealists, rebels, free spirits and activists. A freethinker looks beyond prevailing morals and conventions and creates space for new ideas. But what one person sees as a freethinker, another sees as a troublemaker. 

The exhibition provides an overview of four centuries of free spirits, from Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677) to the present day. And how tolerant are we actually of people who think and act differently? To what extent do we allow room for other people’s opinions? Is it acceptable to “cancel” people because of their opinions, and does everyone deserve a platform? These are very topical questions. The exhibition challenges visitors to take a position on these issues themselves. 

Researcher

Dr. Marieke van den Doel (curator)

Partners

(Co-)funding 

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Amsterdam Museum and the Humanist Association and is made possible in part by the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund, the Mondriaan Fund and the Creative Industries Fund NL. 

Results

Contact

Dr. Marieke van den Doel, M.vandenDoel@UvH.nl.