 |
Edward Herbert CherburyEnglish religious philosopher, politician and statesman
Date of Birth: 03.03.1583
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Edward Herbert of Cherbury, a Renaissance Polymath
- Military and Diplomatic Career
- The Philosopher and Diplomat
- Return to England and Honors
- Philosophical Contributions
- Fourfold Truth
- A Priori Knowledge
- Deism
Edward Herbert of Cherbury, a Renaissance Polymath
Early Life and EducationEdward Herbert of Cherbury, born in 1582, hailed from a distinguished Welsh family. In 1595, he enrolled at University College, Oxford. After marrying in 1599, he settled briefly in London.
Military and Diplomatic Career
Following the ascension of James I, Herbert was knighted. From 1608 to 1618, he served as a mercenary on the Continent, engaging in battles and duels while studying with renowned scholars. In 1619, he was appointed ambassador to Paris.
The Philosopher and Diplomat
In Paris, Herbert wrote the majority of his seminal work, "De Veritate." He shared the manuscript with Hugo Grotius and Louis Tilenus, who urged him to publish it. The book was printed in 1624, establishing Herbert as a significant philosopher.
Return to England and Honors
Recalled to England in 1624, Herbert received an Irish peerage from James I and later an English barony as Baron Cherbury. He remained loyal to Parliament during the English Civil War and died in London in 1648.
Philosophical Contributions
Autonomy of Religious KnowledgeHerbert's philosophy centered on the autonomy of religious knowledge. He refuted the traditional view that transcendent truths were unknowable and argued that religious and moral truths could be established through reason. This reconciled the medieval conflict between faith and reason.
Fourfold Truth
Herbert recognized four types of truth: objective, phenomenal, presentational, and rational. He believed that the soul contained truth as a potential that was influenced by various factors.
A Priori Knowledge
Herbert asserted the concept of a priori knowledge, emphasizing its universal and necessary characteristics, similar to Immanuel Kant's later theories.
Deism
Herbert formulated five fundamental principles of deism, which rejected the notion of divine revelation and emphasized the importance of reason in religious matters.
