ADAM BOREEL (1602 – 1665): HIS LIFE AND THOUGHT

This dissertation gives a full account of the historical figure of Adam Boreel, one of the leaders of the Collegiants of Amsterdam in the 17th century. Although scholars had been aware of this Dutch thinker at least since the beginning of the 20th century, and although some people had suggested the need of a full study about his life and thought, no one had yet committed to suck task. Boreel is often mentioned in the studies concerning the Collegiant movement, the doopsgezinde congregation of Amsterdam, and the youth of the most famous Baruch Spinoza, but only few articles concerning Boreel’s life and thought were published over the last forty years. This is the reason why we have decided to commit to write an updated biography of Adam Boreel and a full analysis of his ideas. Therefore, the dissertation consists of two main parts. In the first part, divided in five chapters, we propose Boreel’s biography and bibliography. We show his first studies at the University of Leiden, his involvement in the Ziegler’s case, the role that Boreel played in the Hartlib Circle, his friendship with people such as John Dury, Galenus Abrahamsz, Henry Oldenburg, and so on. Furthermore, we trace a brief history of the Amsterdam College, which Boreel founded in 1646. We conclude the first part of the dissertation making an account of Boreel’s bibliography. In the second part, divided in six chapters, we give an account of Boreel’s thought. In particular, we examine his critical argumentation against ecclesiastical authority, his ideas advocating for religious toleration and freedom of speech, his beliefs in the rationality of the Christian religion, his theological-political opinions, and finally his ideas concerning the union between man and God.