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William Wollaston - 1
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William Wollaston - 1
WILLIAM WOLLASTON moral philosopher Date: 1660 - 1724
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1660 1724 Moral Philosopher Wollaston
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "William Wollaston: A Prominent 17th Century Moral Philosopher" William Wollaston (1660-1724), an eminent moral philosopher of the 17th century, is depicted in this portrait. Wollaston's life and work significantly contributed to the development of English moral philosophy during the late-seventeenth and early-eighteenth centuries. Born in London, Wollaston was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics, natural philosophy, and theology. However, it was his interest in moral philosophy that truly set him apart. He is best known for his groundbreaking work, "Religion of Nature Delineated," published in 1722, which argued for the existence of a moral sense that is innate to all human beings. This idea, which predated the more famous theories of Scottish moral philosophers such as Francis Hutcheson and Adam Smith, challenged the dominant scholastic and rationalist theories of morality at the time. Wollaston's moral sense theory held that humans possess an inner sense of right and wrong, which is not derived from reason or divine revelation, but is instead an inherent part of human nature. This theory, which influenced later philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, continues to be of interest to scholars of moral philosophy today. In addition to his work in moral philosophy, Wollaston also made significant contributions to mathematics and natural philosophy. He was a fellow of the Royal Society and corresponded with prominent scientists of his time, including Isaac Newton and Edmond Halley. This portrait of William Wollaston, with its solemn expression and scholarly attire, captures the intellectual intensity and depth of this remarkable thinker. His legacy continues to shape our understanding of morality and human nature, making him an enduring figure in the history of philosophy.
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