Where Does Spinoza's Joy Come From?
A Philosophical Proposal That Cannot Be Rejected
Çetin Balanuye

Philosophy, Ayrıntı, 160 pp
English sample translation available
More than 30,000 copies sold
‘This is a book in which philosophy speaks from the very centre of life. The elegance of a clear mind with its incredible simplicity. Frankly, I have never read a book in which Spinoza is so beautifully described.’
- Dr. Saffet Murat Tura, Psychiatrist, Writer
‘Çetin Balanuye, by interpreting a great philosopher like Spinoza in a competent and original way, explains how life can be transformed into joy and happiness with simple tips. The author explains the difficult issues of philosophy in everyday language to the man in the street. An excellent book that everyone who is concerned about happiness should read.’
- Prof. Dr. Yasin Ceylan, Philosopher
'I have long been struck by the intellectual poverty of the human theory on which the various cognitive therapies popularized in the field of psychotherapy are based. In this book, Where Does Spinoza's Joy Come From?, we realize that the purification and healing of the human mind can only be achieved by getting rid of our “sad and sorrowful moods determined by hidden assumptions”. Spinoza offers us such a magnificent philosophy of mind that cognitive and rational-emotional therapies do not even need other theoretical foundations.'
Prof. Dr. Cengiz Güleç, Psychiatrist
'Balanuye invites us to the side we run away from: It glorifies joy in a climate in love with sadness. It is a book that we should read and think about to think about this strange subject and to increase joy...”
Assoc. Prof. Selçuk Şirin, Education Expert-Psychologist
'In Where Spinoza's Joy Comes From, Çetin Balanuye questions how, in a world where we are imprisoned by sadness, we can create genuine joy and succeed in “becoming joyful” under Spinoza's guidance. By pushing the boundaries between science, art and politics and touching our most everyday experiences, he philosophizes for everyone.'
Dr. Eylem Canaslan, Philosopher
Where Does Spinoza's Joy Come From?, is a profound and accessible book by acclaimed philosopher Çetin Balanuye. This work has gained significant attention in Turkey (no philosophy book ever written in Turkish has sold this many copies) for its innovative exploration of Baruch Spinoza’s philosophy and its relevance to our modern understanding of joy and human fulfillment.
Balanuye's approach stands out by making Spinoza’s complex ideas accessible to a wide audience. The book invites readers to rethink their emotional experiences and offers a pathway from sadness to authentic joy, using Spinoza's profound insights on the human mind and existence. The work bridges philosophy with everyday life, offering a practical understanding of how we can overcome the "hidden assumptions" that lead to sadness and cultivate an enduring sense of joy and clarity in our lives.
Rather than offering a simple self-help manual, Balanuye emphasizes the intellectual rigor of Spinoza’s philosophy while keeping it relatable. He skillfully avoids the formulaic solutions typical of personal development books, instead providing readers with deep, reflective questions and insights to help them foster joy both individually and collectively.