SettingsEnlightenment philosophers
Adam Smith
Adam Smith (baptised 16 June 1723 – 17 July 1790 ) was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy.
Adam Smith (baptised 16 June 1723 – 17 July 1790 ) was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy.
Adam Weishaupt
Johann Adam Weishaupt (6 February 1748 in Ingolstadt – 18 November 1830 in Gotha) was a German philosopher and founder of the Order of Illuminati, a secret society with origins in Bavaria.
Johann Adam Weishaupt (6 February 1748 in Ingolstadt – 18 November 1830 in Gotha) was a German philosopher and founder of the Order of Illuminati, a secret society with origins in Bavaria.
Adriaan Koerbagh
Adriaan Koerbagh (1632, Amsterdam - 1669, Amsterdam) was a Dutch scholar and writer best known as a critic of religion and conventional morality.
Adriaan Koerbagh (1632, Amsterdam - 1669, Amsterdam) was a Dutch scholar and writer best known as a critic of religion and conventional morality.
Alexander Gerard
Alexander Gerard (February 22, 1728 – February 22, 1795), philosophical writer, son of Rev.
Alexander Gerard (February 22, 1728 – February 22, 1795), philosophical writer, son of Rev.
Antiochus Kantemir
Prince Antiokh Dmitrievich Kantemir (Антиох Дмитриевич Кантемир in Russian, Antioh Cantemir in Romanian, Dimitri Kantemiroğlu in Turkish, Antioche Cantemir in French; 8 September...
Prince Antiokh Dmitrievich Kantemir (Антиох Дмитриевич Кантемир in Russian, Antioh Cantemir in Romanian, Dimitri Kantemiroğlu in Turkish, Antioche Cantemir in French; 8 September...
Baron d'Holbach
Paul-Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach (8 December 1723 – 21 January 1789) was a French-German author, philosopher, encyclopedist and a prominent figure in the French Enlightenment.
Paul-Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach (8 December 1723 – 21 January 1789) was a French-German author, philosopher, encyclopedist and a prominent figure in the French Enlightenment.
Baruch Spinoza
Baruch de Spinoza (ברוך שפינוזה Baruch Spinoza, Benedito or Bento de Espinosa, Benedictus de Spinoza) and later Benedict de Spinoza (in all mentioned languages the given name means "th...
Baruch de Spinoza (ברוך שפינוזה Baruch Spinoza, Benedito or Bento de Espinosa, Benedictus de Spinoza) and later Benedict de Spinoza (in all mentioned languages the given name means "th...
Bernard Bolzano
Bernhard Placidus Johann Nepomuk Bolzano ( – December 18, 1848), Bernard Bolzano in English, was a Bohemian mathematician, logician, philosopher, theologian, Catholic priest and antimilit...
Bernhard Placidus Johann Nepomuk Bolzano ( – December 18, 1848), Bernard Bolzano in English, was a Bohemian mathematician, logician, philosopher, theologian, Catholic priest and antimilit...
Bic Runga
Jacques-Louis David was an influential French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era.
Jacques-Louis David was an influential French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era.
Cesare Beccaria
Cesare, Marquis of Beccaria-Bonesana was an Italian jurist, philosopher and politician best known for his treatise On Crimes and Punishments, which condemned torture and the death penalty, a...
Cesare, Marquis of Beccaria-Bonesana was an Italian jurist, philosopher and politician best known for his treatise On Crimes and Punishments, which condemned torture and the death penalty, a...
Christian Thomasius
Christian Thomasius (January 1, 1655 – September 23, 1728) was a German jurist and philosopher.
Christian Thomasius (January 1, 1655 – September 23, 1728) was a German jurist and philosopher.
Christian Wolff (philosopher)
Christian Wolff (less correctly Wolf; also known as Wolfius; ennobled as: Christian Freiherr von Wolff; 24 January 1679 - 9 April 1754) was a German philosopher.
Christian Wolff (less correctly Wolf; also known as Wolfius; ennobled as: Christian Freiherr von Wolff; 24 January 1679 - 9 April 1754) was a German philosopher.
Claude Adrien Helvétius
Claude Adrien Helvétius (26 January or 26 February 1715 (sources differ) – 26 December 1771) was a French philosopher and littérateur.
Claude Adrien Helvétius (26 January or 26 February 1715 (sources differ) – 26 December 1771) was a French philosopher and littérateur.
Cornelius de Pauw
Cornelius Franciscus de Pauw or Cornelis de Pauw (Corneille de Pauw in French; 18 August 1739 — 5 July 1799) was a Dutch philosopher, geographer and diplomat at the court of Fred...
Cornelius Franciscus de Pauw or Cornelis de Pauw (Corneille de Pauw in French; 18 August 1739 — 5 July 1799) was a Dutch philosopher, geographer and diplomat at the court of Fred...
D'Holbach's Coterie
D'Holbach's Coterie was a group of radical French Enlightenment thinkers who met regularly at the salon of the atheist philosophe Baron d'Holbach in the years approximately 1750–1780.
D'Holbach's Coterie was a group of radical French Enlightenment thinkers who met regularly at the salon of the atheist philosophe Baron d'Holbach in the years approximately 1750–1780.
Daniel Raymond
Daniel Raymond (1786–1849) was the first important political economist to appear in the United States.
Daniel Raymond (1786–1849) was the first important political economist to appear in the United States.
David Fordyce
David Fordyce (1711, Broadford, Aberdeenshire – 1751) was a Scottish philosopher, a contributor to the Scottish Enlightenment.
David Fordyce (1711, Broadford, Aberdeenshire – 1751) was a Scottish philosopher, a contributor to the Scottish Enlightenment.
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism.
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism.
Dimitrie Cantemir
Dimitrie Cantemir (; 1673–1723) was twice Prince of Moldavia (in March–April 1693 and in 1710–1711).
Dimitrie Cantemir (; 1673–1723) was twice Prince of Moldavia (in March–April 1693 and in 1710–1711).
Dugald Stewart
Dugald Stewart (November 22, 1753 - June 11, 1828) was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher and mathematician.
Dugald Stewart (November 22, 1753 - June 11, 1828) was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher and mathematician.
Eugenio Espejo
Francisco Javier Eugenio de Santa Cruz y Espejo (Royal Audiencia of Quito, 1747–1795) was a medical pioneer, writer and lawyer of mestizo origin in colonial Ecuador.
Francisco Javier Eugenio de Santa Cruz y Espejo (Royal Audiencia of Quito, 1747–1795) was a medical pioneer, writer and lawyer of mestizo origin in colonial Ecuador.
Francis Hutcheson (philosopher)
Francis Hutcheson was a philosopher born in Ireland to a family of Scottish Presbyterians who became one of the founding fathers of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Francis Hutcheson was a philosopher born in Ireland to a family of Scottish Presbyterians who became one of the founding fathers of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Franciscus van den Enden
Franciscus van den Enden (Antwerp c. 5 February 1602 - Paris, 27 November 1674) was a former Jesuit, Neo-Latin poet, physician, art dealer, philosopher and plotter against Louis XIV of France an...
Franciscus van den Enden (Antwerp c. 5 February 1602 - Paris, 27 November 1674) was a former Jesuit, Neo-Latin poet, physician, art dealer, philosopher and plotter against Louis XIV of France an...
Friedrich Schiller
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (10 November 17599 May 1805) was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright.
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (10 November 17599 May 1805) was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright.
Friedrich Schleiermacher
Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (November 21, 1768 – February 12, 1834) was a German theologian and philosopher known for his attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the Enlightenment with ...
Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (November 21, 1768 – February 12, 1834) was a German theologian and philosopher known for his attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the Enlightenment with ...
Gabriel Bonnot de Mably
Gabriel Bonnot de Mably (Grenoble, 14 March 1709 – 2 April 1785 in Paris), sometimes known as Abbé de Mably, was a French philosopher and politician.
Gabriel Bonnot de Mably (Grenoble, 14 March 1709 – 2 April 1785 in Paris), sometimes known as Abbé de Mably, was a French philosopher and politician.
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (born Gaspar Melchor de Xove y Llanos, 5 January 1744 – 27 November 1811) was a Spanish neoclassical statesman, author, philosopher and a major figure of the A...
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (born Gaspar Melchor de Xove y Llanos, 5 January 1744 – 27 November 1811) was a Spanish neoclassical statesman, author, philosopher and a major figure of the A...
George Berkeley
George Berkeley (; 12 March 1685 14 January 1753), also known as Bishop Berkeley (Bishop of Cloyne), was an Anglo-Irish philosopher whose primary achievement was the advancement of a theor...
George Berkeley (; 12 March 1685 14 January 1753), also known as Bishop Berkeley (Bishop of Cloyne), was an Anglo-Irish philosopher whose primary achievement was the advancement of a theor...
George Turnbull (theologian)
George Turnbull (July 11, 1698 – 1748) was a Scottish philosopher, theologian, teacher, writer on education and an early but little-known figure in the Scottish Enlightenment.
George Turnbull (July 11, 1698 – 1748) was a Scottish philosopher, theologian, teacher, writer on education and an early but little-known figure in the Scottish Enlightenment.
Giambattista Vico
Giovanni Battista (Giambattista) Vico or Vigo (23 June 1668 – 23 January 1744) was an Italian political philosopher, rhetorician, historian, and jurist.
Giovanni Battista (Giambattista) Vico or Vigo (23 June 1668 – 23 January 1744) was an Italian political philosopher, rhetorician, historian, and jurist.
Gottfried Leibniz
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (sometimes von Leibniz) ( or (July 1, 1646 – November 14, 1716) was a Dutchman philosopher and mathematician.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (sometimes von Leibniz) ( or (July 1, 1646 – November 14, 1716) was a Dutchman philosopher and mathematician.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (22 January 1729 15 February 1781) was a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist, and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlight...
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (22 January 1729 15 February 1781) was a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist, and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlight...
Henry Home, Lord Kames
Henry Home, Lord Kames (1696 27 December 1782) was a Scottish advocate, judge, philosopher, writer and agricultural improver.
Henry Home, Lord Kames (1696 27 December 1782) was a Scottish advocate, judge, philosopher, writer and agricultural improver.
Henry More
Henry More (October 12, 1614 – September 1, 1687) was an English philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.
Henry More (October 12, 1614 – September 1, 1687) was an English philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.
Hryhorii Skovoroda
Hryhorii Savych Skovoroda (Григорій Савич Сковорода, Grigory Savvich Skovoroda, Григорий Саввич Сковорода; 3 December 1722 – 9 November 1794) was a Ukrainian philosopher, poet, teach...
Hryhorii Savych Skovoroda (Григорій Савич Сковорода, Grigory Savvich Skovoroda, Григорий Саввич Сковорода; 3 December 1722 – 9 November 1794) was a Ukrainian philosopher, poet, teach...
Hugh Blair
Hugh Blair FRSE (7 April 1718–27 December 1800) was a Scottish minister of religion, author and rhetorician, considered one of the first great theorists of written discourse.
Hugh Blair FRSE (7 April 1718–27 December 1800) was a Scottish minister of religion, author and rhetorician, considered one of the first great theorists of written discourse.
Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius (10 April 1583 – 28 August 1645), also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic.
Hugo Grotius (10 April 1583 – 28 August 1645), also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic.
Hugo Kołłątaj
Hugo Kołłątaj (April 1, 1750 – February 24, 1812) was a Polish Roman Catholic priest, social and political activist, political thinker, historian and philosopher.
Hugo Kołłątaj (April 1, 1750 – February 24, 1812) was a Polish Roman Catholic priest, social and political activist, political thinker, historian and philosopher.
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from Königsberg, researching, lecturing and writing on philosophy and anthropology at the end of the 18th Century Enlightenment.
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from Königsberg, researching, lecturing and writing on philosophy and anthropology at the end of the 18th Century Enlightenment.
Jacques-André Naigeon
Jacques-André Naigeon was a French artist, atheist philosopher, editor and man of letters best known for his contributions to the Encyclopédie and for reworking Baron d'Holbach's and Dider...
Jacques-André Naigeon was a French artist, atheist philosopher, editor and man of letters best known for his contributions to the Encyclopédie and for reworking Baron d'Holbach's and Dider...
Jakob Lorber
Jakob Lorber (22 July 1800 – 24 August 1864) was a Styrian Christian mystic and visionary who promoted liberal Universalism.
Jakob Lorber (22 July 1800 – 24 August 1864) was a Styrian Christian mystic and visionary who promoted liberal Universalism.
Jan Śniadecki
Jan Śniadecki (August 29, 1756– November 9, 1830) was a Polish mathematician, philosopher and astronomer at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Jan Śniadecki (August 29, 1756– November 9, 1830) was a Polish mathematician, philosopher and astronomer at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (28 June 17122 July 1778) was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism of French expression.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (28 June 17122 July 1778) was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism of French expression.
Johann Georg Heinrich Feder
Johann Georg Heinrich Feder (15 May 1740 in Schornweisach – 22 May 1821 in Hanover) was a German philosopher.
Johann Georg Heinrich Feder (15 May 1740 in Schornweisach – 22 May 1821 in Hanover) was a German philosopher.
Johann Gottfried Herder
Johann Gottfried von Herder (25 August 1744 18 December 1803) was a German philosopher, theologian, poet, and literary critic.
Johann Gottfried von Herder (25 August 1744 18 December 1803) was a German philosopher, theologian, poet, and literary critic.
Johannes van den Driesche
Johannes van den Driesche or Drusius
Protestant divine, distinguished specially as an Orientalist, Christian Hebraist and exegete, was born at Oudenarde, in Flanders.
Johannes van den Driesche or Drusius
Protestant divine, distinguished specially as an Orientalist, Christian Hebraist and exegete, was born at Oudenarde, in Flanders.
John Locke
John Locke (; 29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704), widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment t...
John Locke (; 29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704), widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment t...
John Millar (philosopher)
John Millar of Glasgow (June 22, 1735 – May 30, 1801) was a Scottish philosopher, historian and Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Glasgow from 1761 to 1800.
John Millar of Glasgow (June 22, 1735 – May 30, 1801) was a Scottish philosopher, historian and Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Glasgow from 1761 to 1800.
John Toland
John Toland (30 November 1670 – 11 March 1722) was a rationalist philosopher and freethinker, and occasional satirist, who wrote numerous books and pamphlets on political philosophy and philosop...
John Toland (30 November 1670 – 11 March 1722) was a rationalist philosopher and freethinker, and occasional satirist, who wrote numerous books and pamphlets on political philosophy and philosop...
Jędrzej Śniadecki
Jędrzej Śniadecki (archaic Andrew Sniadecki; 30 November 1768 – 12 May 1838) was a Polish writer, physician, chemist and biologist.
Jędrzej Śniadecki (archaic Andrew Sniadecki; 30 November 1768 – 12 May 1838) was a Polish writer, physician, chemist and biologist.
Marquis de Condorcet
Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet, known as Nicolas de Condorcet, was a French philosopher, mathematician, and early political scientist whose Condorcet method'...
Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet, known as Nicolas de Condorcet, was a French philosopher, mathematician, and early political scientist whose Condorcet method'...
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft (; 27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights.
Mary Wollstonecraft (; 27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights.
Montesquieu
Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Enli...
Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Enli...
Moses Mendelssohn
Moses Mendelssohn (6 September 1729– 4 January 1786) was a German Jewish philosopher to whose ideas the renaissance of European Jews, Haskalah (the Jewish Enlightenment) is indebted.
Moses Mendelssohn (6 September 1729– 4 January 1786) was a German Jewish philosopher to whose ideas the renaissance of European Jews, Haskalah (the Jewish Enlightenment) is indebted.
Nicolas Antoine Boulanger
Nicolas Antoine Boulanger was a French philosopher and man of letters during the Age of Enlightenment.
Nicolas Antoine Boulanger was a French philosopher and man of letters during the Age of Enlightenment.
Petrus Cunaeus
Petrus Cunaeus was the pen name of the Dutch Christian scholar Peter van der Kun.
Petrus Cunaeus was the pen name of the Dutch Christian scholar Peter van der Kun.
René Descartes
René Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic.
René Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic.
Richard Price
Richard Price (23 February 1723 – 19 April 1791) was a British moral philosopher and preacher in the tradition of English Dissenters, and a political pamphleteer, active in radical, republican, ...
Richard Price (23 February 1723 – 19 April 1791) was a British moral philosopher and preacher in the tradition of English Dissenters, and a political pamphleteer, active in radical, republican, ...
Samuel Clarke
Samuel Clarke (11 October 1675, Norwich – 17 May 1729, London) was an English philosopher and Anglican clergyman.
Samuel Clarke (11 October 1675, Norwich – 17 May 1729, London) was an English philosopher and Anglican clergyman.
Stanisław Staszic
Stanisław Wawrzyniec Staszic was a leading figure of the Polish Enlightenment — Catholic priest, philosopher, geologist, writer, poet, translator and statesman.
Stanisław Wawrzyniec Staszic was a leading figure of the Polish Enlightenment — Catholic priest, philosopher, geologist, writer, poet, translator and statesman.
Sylvain Maréchal
Sylvain Maréchal (15 August 1750, Paris – 18 January 1803, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine) was a French essayist, poet, philosopher, and, as a political theorist, precursor of utopian socialism and c...
Sylvain Maréchal (15 August 1750, Paris – 18 January 1803, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine) was a French essayist, poet, philosopher, and, as a political theorist, precursor of utopian socialism and c...
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, the third President of the United States and founder...
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, the third President of the United States and founder...
Thomas Paine
Thomas "Tom" Paine was an English author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Thomas "Tom" Paine was an English author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Thomas Reid
The Reverend Thomas Reid FRSE (7 May (26 April O.S.) 1710 – 7 October 1796), was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume, was the founder of the Scottish Sch...
The Reverend Thomas Reid FRSE (7 May (26 April O.S.) 1710 – 7 October 1796), was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume, was the founder of the Scottish Sch...
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 1694 – 30 May 1778), better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his...
François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 1694 – 30 May 1778), better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his...
William Cleghorn
William Cleghorn (1718 – August 1754) was a British philosopher.
William Cleghorn (1718 – August 1754) was a British philosopher.
William Ogilvie of Pittensear
William Ogilvie of Pittensear—the ‘rebel professor’—was the 18th century Scottish author of an influential historic land reform treatise.
William Ogilvie of Pittensear—the ‘rebel professor’—was the 18th century Scottish author of an influential historic land reform treatise.
Étienne Bonnot de Condillac
Étienne Bonnot de Condillac (30 September 1715 – 3 August 1780) was a French philosopher and epistemologist who studied in such areas as psychology and the philosophy of the mind.
Étienne Bonnot de Condillac (30 September 1715 – 3 August 1780) was a French philosopher and epistemologist who studied in such areas as psychology and the philosophy of the mind.