Named for the Dutch-Jewish philosopher Benedict de Spinoza (1632–1677). He incurred the disapproval of the synagogue authorities, and in 1656 he was excommunicated. Although acknowledging Descartes {see planet  (3587)} to be the father of modern philosophy, he did not agree with his metaphysics. In his masterpiece, Ethica (1663–1675), he constructed a metaphysical system entirely deductively in terms of Euclidean geometry. Spinoza was also an expert in grinding and polishing lenses, but the inhalation of glass dust contributed to his death. (M 30800) _ _.