 |
William ThompsonIrish political scientist, philosopher, writer and reformer
Country:
 Ireland |
Content:
Biography of William Thompson
William Thompson, an Irish political scientist, philosopher, writer, and reformer, began his career as a utilitarian but later became a vocal critic of capitalist exploiters. He greatly influenced many later philosophers, including Karl Marx. Thompson was born in Cork, Ireland, into a wealthy merchant and landowner family. In 1814, his father John Thompson passed away, leaving William a small trading fleet and a plot of land near Glandore, West Cork. While most of Thompson's contemporaries would have preferred to manage their inheritance from a distance, closer to the pleasures of city life, William had a different approach. Despite leading a very active lifestyle and extensive travels, Thompson always dedicated significant attention to his estate. He closely monitored its affairs, implemented the latest agricultural innovations, and sought to improve the lives of those under his care.
From a young age, William had delicate health, and as he aged, he gave up smoking, alcohol, and transitioned to a vegetarian diet. With these changes, Thompson was able to devote more time to reading and writing. However, they did not have a significantly curative effect, as he developed a serious chest illness in the 1830s. This illness ultimately led to his death on March 28, 1833. William never married and did not leave a direct heir, but he did leave a will. However, his bequest did not sit well with his relatives, as he left his estate to the cooperative movement. Legal proceedings were initiated by his family to challenge the validity of the will. This lengthy inheritance case became the longest in Irish legal history.
Interests and Ideas
Thompson was deeply interested in the ideas of the Enlightenment era, with a particular fascination for the works of Marquis de Condorcet. He supported the French Revolution and advocated for freedom for Catholics, although these beliefs did not make him particularly popular in Cork. Thompson also had an interest in utilitarianism and engaged in discussions on the topic with Jeremy Bentham, the founder of the movement. He was also influenced by the works of William Godwin and Thomas Malthus. However, Thompson found their theories lacking and proposed the concept of "social sciences," which aimed to combine important aspects of political economy, scientific materialism, and utilitarian rational morality. He also criticized the societal status of women, drawing inspiration from the works of Malthus, Bentham, and his friendship with Anna Doyle Wheeler.
Influence on Karl Marx
Thompson's works caught the attention of Karl Marx, who even quoted some of his writings in his works "The Poverty of Philosophy" and "Capital."
