Butler, Joseph

Butler, Joseph
(1692–1752)
English moral philosopher. Born of a Presbyterian family, Butler was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, and became a minister of the Church of England, where he rose to be Bishop of Durham, as well as the spiritual adviser of Queen Caroline and George II. His moral philosophy is contained in his Fifteen Sermons (1726), while his theology is contained in The Analogy of Religion (1736). His moral philosophy is an attempt to ground ethics on a proper understanding of human nature, and as such continues the tradition of Aristotle, Hobbes, and Shaftesbury . Butler's refutation of ethical egoism is a classic of moral thought. He carefully distinguishes self-love, benevolence, and the impact of conscience, although the authority of the last of these remains unclear. Butler has been well described as ‘Aristotle clad in a diaphanous mantle made of Christianity’.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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  • Butler, Joseph — (1692–1752)    Bishop and Theologian.    Butler was born in Wantage in England and was brought up as a Presbyterian. He became a member of the Church of England and was educated at the University of Oxford. After ordination in 1718, he served… …   Who’s Who in Christianity

  • Butler, Joseph — born May 18, 1692, Wantage, Berkshire, Eng. died June 16, 1752, Bath, Somerset British bishop and moral philosopher. He became dean of St. Paul s Cathedral in 1740 and bishop of Durham in 1750. His works defended revealed religion against the… …   Universalium

  • Butler, Joseph — (1692 1752)    An Anglican bishop, theologian and apologist against deism, Butler contributed to both philosophy of religion and ethics. In his day The Analogy of Religion (1736) was a widely celebrated attack on deism, which draws an analogy… …   Christian Philosophy

  • Butler, Joseph — (18 may. 1692, Wantage, Berkshire, Inglaterra–16 jun. 1752, Bath, Somerset). Arzobispo y filósofo de la moral británico. Fue nombrado deán de la catedral de San Pablo en 1740 y obispo de Durham en 1750. En sus obras defendió la religión revelada… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Butler, Joseph — See British moralists of the eighteenth century …   History of philosophy

  • BUTLER, JOSEPH —    an eminent English divine, born at Wantage, in Berks; born a Dissenter; conformed to the Church of England; became preacher at the Rolls, where he delivered his celebrated Sermons, the first three of which contributed so much to the stability… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • BUTLER, Joseph — (1692 1752)    English philosopher and ANGLICAN BISHOP who deplored enthusiasm. His book The Analogy of Religion (1736) is a profound attack on DEISM and a thorough refutation of deistic views …   Concise dictionary of Religion

  • Butler, Joseph — (1692 1752)    Theologian, b. at Wantage, s. of a Presbyterian linen draper, was destined for the ministry of that Church, but in 1714 he decided to enter the Church of England, and went to Oxf. After holding various other preferments he became… …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

  • Joseph Butler — Butler, Joseph …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Joseph Butler — (* 18. Mai 1692 in Wantage; † 16. Juni 1752 in Bath) war ein englischer Bischof der anglikanischen Kirche in Durham[1] und Bristol …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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