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Additional Information
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| Empiricism |
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Empiricism as a movement is usually linked with the names of 3 philosophers:
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John Locke The English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) was born in Wrington, Somersetshire. He received a doctorate in medecine from Oxford and through his friendship with Lord Ashley, who later became the Earl of Shaftesbury, he entered into politics. He held various official positions and this allowed him to visit France, where he had the opportunity of meeting men of similar interests and ability. In 1683 he went escaped to Holland because of the reinstatement of the monarchy, to which he was opposed. He there was involved with the movement that would eventually place William of Orange onto the British throne. The accession of William of Orange allowed him to return to England where he was allowed to dedicate himself fully to the study of philosophy. Principal works: - Treatises on Government - Essay Concerning Human Understanding - Thoughts on Education.
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Bishop Berkeley Bishop Geoge Berkeley (1685-1753) is often considered the founder of Idealism. An Irish Clergyman, Berkeley spent the whole of his philosophical career as a churchman, linking his investigations to his religious interests. Between 1713 and 1720 he visited France and Italy where he was introduced to such thinkers as Malebranche. In 1728 he attempted to found a missionary school in Bermuda, and later visited America where he was a key figure in developing the universities of Yale and Columbia. He was later made Bishop of Cloyne in Southern Ireland. Principal works: - Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge - Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous - Alciphron, or the Minute Philosopher.
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David Hume The Scottish philosopher and historian David Hume (1711-1776) graduated from Edinburgh University. His religious scepticism meant that he failed to attain the academic appointment he desired, instead gaining employment as - among other things - a librarian, a private tutor and a judge advocate to a British military expedition to France, Under-Secretary of State in London and secretary to the British ambassador in Paris. Whilst in France he met and befriended the Frech philosopher Jean-Jaques Rousseau, whom he brought to Britain but later fell out with. As well as his philosophical interests, Hume wrote a six-volume History of England. Principal works: - Treatise on Human Nature - Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding - Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals - Natural History of Religion - Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion |