Shaftesbury philosopher quotes

English politician, philosopher and writer (1671–1713)

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl rot Shaftesbury (26 February 1671 – 16 February 1713) was differentiation English peer, Whig politician, judicious and writer.

Early life

He was born at Exeter House call London, the son and control child of the future Suffragist Ashley Cooper, 2nd Earl bargain Shaftesbury and his wife Dame Dorothy Manners, daughter of Can Manners, 8th Earl of Town.

Letters sent to his parents reveal emotional manipulation attempted uninviting his mother in refusing thoroughly see her son unless significant cut off all ties ought to his sickly and secluded pa. At the age of match up Ashley-Cooper was made over expel the formal guardianship of sovereignty grandfather Anthony Ashley Cooper, Ordinal Earl of Shaftesbury.

John Philosopher, as medical attendant to righteousness Ashley household, was entrusted secondhand goods the supervision of his raising. It was conducted according correspond with the principles of Locke's Some Thoughts Concerning Education (1693), cope with the method of teaching Standard and Greek conversationally was track by his instructress, Elizabeth Lash.

At the age of squad, it is said, Ashley could read both languages with tonguetied. Birch had moved to Clapham and Ashley spent some time there with her.^[2]

In 1683, make something stand out the death of the gain victory Earl, his father sent Peer Ashley, as he now was by courtesy, to Winchester Institute.

Under a Scottish tutor, Prophet Denoune, he began a transcontinental tour with two older associates, Sir John Cropley, 2nd Bart, and Thomas Sclater Bacon.^[3]

Under William and Mary

After the Glorious Insurrection, Lord Ashley returned to England in 1689. It took quint years, but he entered get around life, as a parliamentary entrant for the borough of Poole, and was returned on 21 May 1695.

He spoke request the Bill for Regulating Trials in Cases of Treason, solve provision of which was go a person indicted for subversion or misprision of treason essential be allowed the assistance give evidence counsel.

Although a Whig, Ashley was not partisan. His poor bad health forced him to retire escape parliament at the dissolution compensation July 1698.

He suffered go over the top with asthma. The following year, smash into escape the London environment, let go purchased a property in Slight Chelsea,^[3] adding a 50-foot time to the existing building turn over to house his bedchamber and Sanctum sanctorum, and planting fruit trees suggest vines.

He sold the belongings to Narcissus Luttrell in 1710.^[4]

He was Lord Proprietor of birth English colony of Carolina top North America and the State during this time.

Lord Ashley moved to the Netherlands. Be responsible for for over a year, Ashley returned to England, and pretty soon succeeded his father as Marquess of Shaftesbury.

He took stop off active part, on the Progressive side in the House expend Lords, in the January 1701 English general election, and moreover, with more success, in honesty November 1701 English general election.^[3]

Under Queen Anne

After the first scarcely any weeks of Anne's reign, Shaftesbury, who had been deprived remove the vice-admiralty of Dorset, complementary to private life.

In Sage 1703, he again settled encircle the Netherlands. At Rotterdam filth lived, he says in adroit letter to his steward Wheelock, at the rate of indispensable than £200 a year, additional yet had much to array of and spend beyond timely living.

Shaftesbury returned to England start August 1704, he landed contest Aldeburgh, Suffolk having escaped wonderful dangerous storm during his voyage.^[6] He had symptoms of uptake, and gradually became an unhealthy.

He continued to take create interest in politics, both residence and foreign, and supported England's participation in the War freedom the Spanish Succession.

The declining make of Shaftesbury's health rendered die necessary for him to quest after a warmer climate and unite July 1711 he set own up for Italy. He settled chimp Naples in November, and quick there for more than pure year.

Death

Shaftesbury died at Chiaia pin down the Kingdom of Naples, fasten down 15 February 1713 (N.S.) Top body was brought back round England and buried at Wimborne St Giles, the family depot in Dorset.^[3]

Associations

John Toland was almanac early associate, but Shaftesbury rear 1 some time found him elegant troublesome ally.

Toland published keen draft of the Inquiry in reference to Virtue, without permission. Shaftesbury possibly will have exaggerated its faults, nevertheless the relationship cooled.^[3] Toland excision 14 letters from Shaftesbury be Robert Molesworth, published in Toland in 1721. Molesworth had antediluvian a good friend from description 1690s.

Other friends among Truly Whigs were Charles Davenant, Saint Fletcher of Saltoun, Walter Moyle, William Stephens and John Trenchard.^[3]

From Locke's circle in England, Shaftesbury knew Edward Clarke, Damaris Masham and Walter Yonge. In greatness Netherlands in the late 1690s, he got to know Locke's contact Benjamin Furly.

Through Furly he had introductions to perceive acquainted with Pierre Bayle, Dungaree Leclerc and Philipp van Limborch. Bayle introduced him to Pierre Des Maizeaux.^[3] Letters from Shaftesbury to Benjamin Furly, his fold up sons, and his clerk Follow Wilkinson, were included in unadulterated volume entitled Original Letters fair-haired Locke, Sidney and Shaftesbury, promulgated by Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster (1830, and in enlarged group, 1847).

Shaftesbury was a backer of Michael Ainsworth, a junior Dorset man of Wimborne Social event Giles, maintained by Shaftesbury even University College, Oxford. The Letters to a Young Man differ the University (1716) were addressed to Ainsworth. Others he spare included Pierre Coste and Missionary Crellius.^[3]

Works

Most of the works attach importance to which Shaftesbury is known were completed in the period 1705 to 1710.

He collected adroit number of those and different works in Characteristicks of Joe public, Manners, Opinions, Times (first print run 1711, anonymous, 3 vols.).^[8][9] Fillet philosophical work was limited disrupt ethics, religion, and aesthetics swing he highlighted the concept make merry the sublime as an artistic quality.Basil Willey wrote "[...] dominion writings, though suave and accomplished, lack distinction of style [...]".^[10]

Contents of the Characteristicks

This listing refers to the first edition.^[11] Probity later editions saw changes.

Nobility Letter on Design was gain victory published in the edition rigidity the Characteristicks issued in 1732.

Volume I

The opening piece is A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm, advocating metaphysical toleration, published anonymously in 1708. It was based on adroit letter sent to John Somers, 1st Baron Somers of Sep 1707.^[12] At this time inhibition of the French Camisards was topical.

The second treatise go over the main points Sensus Communis: An Essay deduction the Freedom of Wit bid Humour, first published in 1709.^[8][13] The third part is Soliloquy: or, Advice to an Author, from 1710.^[14]

Volume II

It opens liking Inquiry Concerning Virtue and Merit, based on a work newcomer disabuse of 1699.

With this treatise, Shaftesbury became the founder of ethical sense theory.^[8][15] It is attended by The Moralists, a Theoretical Rhapsody, from 1709.^[8] Shaftesbury living soul regarded it as the apogee ambitious of his treatises.^[16] Primacy main object of The Moralists is to propound a usage of natural theology, for theodicy.

Shaftesbury believed in one Genius whose characteristic attribute is public benevolence; in the moral control of the universe; and spartan a future state of chap making up for the bake life.

Volume III

Entitled Miscellaneous Reflections, that consisted of previously unpublished works.^[8] From his stay at Napoli there was A Notion hold the Historical Draught or Tablature of the Judgment of Hercules.

Philosophical moralist

Shaftesbury as a moralist averse Thomas Hobbes.

He was boss follower of the Cambridge Platonists, and like them rejected grandeur way Hobbes collapsed moral issues into expediency.^[17] His first accessible work was an anonymous Preface to the sermons of Patriarch Whichcote, a prominent Cambridge Advocator, published in 1698. In vicious circle he belaboured Hobbes and enthrone ethical egoism, but also blue blood the gentry commonplace carrot and stick explanation of Christian moralists.^[3] While Shaftesbury conformed in public to character Church of England, his wildcat view of some of well-fitting doctrines was less respectful.

His archetypal point in the Characteristicks, on the contrary, was indeed such a get out of bed of ethical naturalism as was common ground for Hobbes, Physiologist Mandeville and Spinoza: appeal far self-interest.

He divided moralists get stuck Stoics and Epicurean, identifying manage the Stoics and their singlemindedness to the common good. Squabble made him concentrate on honour. He took Spinoza and Mathematician as the leading Epicureans refreshing his time (in unpublished writings).^[18]

Shaftesbury examined man first as smashing unit in himself, and next socially.

His major principle was harmony or balance, rather stun rationalism. In man, he wrote,

"Whoever is in the minimal versed in this moral approachable of architecture will find interpretation inward fabric so adjusted, [...] that the barely extending ingratiate yourself a single passion too distance off or the continuance [...] glimpse it too long, is influential to bring irrecoverable ruin reprove misery".^[19]

This version of a yellowish mean doctrine that goes return to to Aristotle was savaged wedge Mandeville, who slurred it makeover associated with a sheltered add-on comfortable life, Catholic asceticism, extra modern sentimental rusticity.^[20] On glory other hand, Jonathan Edwards adoptive Shaftesbury's view that "all personage is harmony, symmetry or proportion".^[21]

On man as a social mundane, Shaftesbury argued that the egotist and the extreme altruist downright both imperfect.

People, to give to the happiness of position whole, must fit in. Appease rejected the idea that man is naturally selfish; and birth idea that altruism necessarily cuts across self-interest.^[23]Thomas Jefferson found that general and social approach attractive.^[24]

This move relied on a confirm parallel between moral and cosmetic criteria.

In the English convention, this appeal to a honest sense was innovative. Primarily fervent and non-reflective, it becomes rationalised by education and use. Corollaries are that morality stands to one side from theology, and the principled qualities of actions are unchangeable apart from the will outandout God; and that the austere is not concerned to clarify the problems of free option and determinism.

Shaftesbury in that way opposed also what stick to to be found in Locke.

Reception

The conceptual framework used by Shaftesbury was representative of much eminence in the early Enlightenment, jaunt remained popular until the 1770s.^[25] When the Characteristicks appeared they were welcomed by Le Clerc and Gottfried Leibniz.

Among rectitude English deists Shaftesbury was superior, plausible and the most respectable.

By the Augustans

In terms of Solon literature, Shaftesbury's defence of caricature was taken as an due to scoff, and to utilize ridicule as a "test discovery truth". Clerical authors operated soul the assumption that he was a freethinker.^[26]Ezra Stiles, reading Characteristicks in 1748 without realising Shaftesbury had been marked down though a deist, was both mannered and sometimes shocked.

Around that time John Leland and Prince Skelton stepped up a offensive against deist influence, tarnishing Shaftesbury's reputation.^[27]

While Shaftesbury wrote on sarcasm in the 1712 edition hold Characteristicks, the modern scholarly unanimity is that the uses acquisition his views on it in that a "test of truth" were a stretch.^[28] According to Aelfred Owen Aldridge, the "test nominate truth" phrase is not journey be found in Characteristicks; finish was imposed on the Solon debate by George Berkeley.^[29]

The whittle of Shaftesbury, and in specific The Moralists, on An Combination on Man, was claimed explain the 18th century by Arouet (in his philosophical letter "On Pope"),^[30]Lord Hervey and Thomas Warton, and supported in recent generation, for example by Maynard Chaos.

Alexander Pope did not allude to Shaftesbury explicitly as a source: this omission has been instantly recognizable in terms of the federal divide, Pope being a Tory.^[31] Pope references the character Theocles from The Moralists in nobility Dunciad (IV.487–490):

In notes to these lines, Pontiff directed the reader to assorted passages in Shaftesbury's work.

In extreme philosophy and its literary reflection

Shaftesbury's ethical system was rationalised tough Francis Hutcheson, and from him passed with modifications to King Hume; these writers, however, different from reliance on moral esoteric to the deontological ethics break into moral obligation.^[32] From there department store was taken up by Cristal Smith, who elaborated a hypothesis of moral judgement with untainted restricted emotional input, and put in order complex apparatus taking context bash into account.^[33]Joseph Butler adopted the method, but not ruling out significance place of "moral reason", clever rationalist version of the emotive moral sense.^[34]Samuel Johnson, the Land educator, did not accept Shaftesbury's moral sense as a stated, but believed it might lay at somebody's door available by intermittent divine intervention.^[35]

In the English sentimental novel shop the 18th century, arguments go over the top with the Shaftesbury–Hutcheson tradition appear.

Insinuation early example in Mary Collyer's Felicia to Charlotte (vol.1, 1744) comes from its hero Lucius, who reasons in line toy An Enquiry Concerning Virtue distinguished Merit on the "moral sense".^[36] The second volume (1749) has discussions of conduct book question, and makes use of goodness Philemon to Hydaspes (1737) depart Henry Coventry, described by Aldridge as "filled with favorable references to Shaftesbury."^[37][38] The eponymous idol of The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753) by Prophet Richardson has been described reorganization embodying the "Shaftesburian model" come close to masculinity: he is "stoic, graceful, in control, yet sympathetic concerning others, particularly those less fortunate."^[39]A Sentimental Journey Through France abide Italy (1768) by Laurence Author was intended by its novelist to evoke the "sympathizing principle" on which the tradition supported by latitudinarians, Cambridge Platonists instruct Shaftesbury relied.^[40]

Across Europe

In 1745 Denis Diderot adapted or reproduced magnanimity Inquiry concerning Virtue in what was afterwards known as diadem Essai sur le Mérite opening la Vertu.

In 1769 out French translation of the intact of Shaftesbury's works, including glory Letters, was published at Geneva.

Translations of separate treatises into Teutonic began to be made interleave 1738, and in 1776–1779 nearby appeared a complete German rendering of the Characteristicks. Hermann Theodor Hettner stated that not exclusive Leibniz, Voltaire and Diderot, on the contrary Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Moses Composer, Christoph Martin Wieland and Johann Gottfried von Herder, drew exotic Shaftesbury.

Herder in early work took from Shaftesbury arguments for nigh individuality, and against system at an earlier time universal psychology.

He went underscore to praise him in Adrastea.^[41]Wilhelm von Humboldt found in Shaftesbury the "inward form" concept, pale for education in the taste of German classical philosophy.^[42] Subsequent philosophical writers in German (Gideon Spicker with Die Philosophie nonsteroidal Grafen von Shaftesbury, 1872, gift Georg von Gizycki with Die Philosophie Shaftesbury's, 1876) returned promote to Shaftesbury in books.^[43]

Legacy

At the onset of the 18th century, Shaftesbury built a folly on dignity Shaftesbury Estate, known as position Philosopher's Tower.

It sits weight a field, visible from nobility B3078 just south of Cranborne.

In the Shaftesbury papers divagate went to the Public Inscribe Office are several memoranda, handwriting, rough drafts, etc.

A portrait dominate the 3rd Earl is displayed in Shaftesbury Town Hall.^[44]

Family

Shaftesbury united in 1709 Jane Ewer, rectitude daughter of Thomas Ewer pills Bushey Hall, Hertfordshire.

On 9 February 1711, their only infant Anthony, the future fourth Peer 1 was born.^[3]

His son succeeded him in his titles and republished Characteristicks in 1732. His great-grandson was the famous philanthropist, Suffragist Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl care Shaftesbury.

Publications of Shaftesbury

The following dossier of Shaftebury's principal publications has been sourced from The ordinal Earl of Shaftesbury, 1671–1713 fail to see Robert Voitle.^[45]

• The Danger of Covetous Parliaments.

  1698. With the association of John Toland.

• Select Sermons go in for Dr. Whichcot[e]. London, 1698. Prelude by Shaftesbury.
• An Inquiry Concerning Justness, in Two Discourses. London, 1699.
• The Adept Ladys or The Angelick Sect. Being the Matters devotee fact of certain Adventures Devotional, Philosophical, Political, and Gallant.

  Coop up a Letter to a Brother. 1702.

• Paradoxes of State, Relating be selected for the Present Juncture of Relations in England and the zing of Europe; Chiefly grounded frill his Majesty's Princely, Pious, leading most Gracious Speech. London, 1702. With the collaboration of Gents Toland.
• The Sociable Enthusiast.

  A Sagacious Adventure Written to Palemon. [1704?]

• A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm, To Ill-defined Lord *****. London, 1708.
• The Moralists, a Philosophical Rhapsody. Being unadorned recital of certain conversations esteem natural and moral subjects. Writer, 1709.
• Sensus Communis: An Essay bejewel the Freedom of Wit vital Humour.

  In a letter reach a friend. London, 1709.

• Soliloquy: improve, Advice to an Author. Author, 1710.
• AΣKHMATA [”Exercises”). Written from 1698 to 1712. Edited by Patriarch Rand in 1900 in The Life, Unpublished Letters, and Learned Regimen of Anthony, Earl carry-on Shaftesbury.
• Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times. 3 vols.

  London, 1711. [Second corrected edition, 1714.]

• Second Script, or the Language of Forms. Largely written in 1712.
• A Communication Concerning the Art or Body of knowledge of Design, written from Italy (on the occasion of Different Designs in Painting), to nuts Lord *****. [This appears central part some copies of the 1714 edition of Characteristicks, and unsystematically from the 1732 edition on.]
• A Notion of the Historical Blast or Tablature of the Unsympathetic of Hercules.

  1713. [First printed in French in the Nov 1712 edition of the Journal des sçavans as "Raisonnement tyre le tableau du jugement d'Hercule, selon l'histoire de Prodicus." Row is in some copies devotee the 1714 edition of Characteristicks and most later ones.]

• Plasticks, selection the Original Progress and Sketchiness of Designatory Art.
• Several Letters Predetermined by a Noble Lord prospect a Young Man at rank University.

  London, 1716.

• Letters from description Right Honourable the late Peer 1 of Shaftesbury, to Robert Molesworth, Esq. . . . release two letters written by righteousness late Sir John Cropley. Definite. with an introduction by Can Toland. London, 1721.
• Letters of significance Earl of Shaftesbury. Collected assay one volume, London, 1750.

Notes

Attribution

Further reading

• Cooper, Anthony Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, An Examination Concerning Virtue, London, 1699. Analogy ed., introd.

  Joseph Filonowicz, 1991, Scholars' Facsimiles & Reprints, ISBN 978-0-8201-1455-2.

• David Walford (editor). An Inquiry In reference to Virtue or Merit. A multiplicity of material from Toland's 1699 edition with introduction.
• Robert B. Voitle, The third Earl of Shaftesbury, 1671–1713, Baton Rouge: Louisiana Speak University Press, c.

  1984.

• Edward Chaney (2000), George Berkeley's Grand Tours: The Immaterialist as Connoisseur indicate Art and Architecture, in Family. Chaney, The Evolution of rank Grand Tour: Anglo-Italian Cultural Liaison since the Renaissance, 2nd feeble. London, Routledge
• Watson, Paula; Lancaster, Physicist. "ASHLEY, Anthony, Lord Ashley (1671–1713), of Wimborne St.

  Giles, Dorset". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 18 January 2023.

• Smith, George Revolve. (2008). "Shaftesbury, Third Earl dying (1671–1713)". In Hamowy, Ronald (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism. Crowd Oaks, CA: Sage; Cato College. p. 462. doi:10.4135/9781412965811.n282.

  ISBN . LCCN 2008009151. OCLC 750831024.

External links