The Philosopher
John Gay
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- English
- Schools:
- Egoism, Moral sense theory
- Branchs:
- Moral philosophy, Utilitarianism, Biblical studies
- Period:
- 18th-century
The synopsis
John Gay (1699–1745) was an English philosopher, biblical scholar, and clergyman of the Church of England. He was a cousin of the poet John Gay. Gay's philosophical contributions are particularly noted in his "Dissertation Concerning the Fundamental Principle of Virtue or Morality," which was first published as a preface to Edmund Law's translation of William King's "Essay on the Origin of Evil" in 1731. This dissertation is considered one of the foundational texts in the history of English utilitarianism. Gay's work is seen as bridging the gap between the egoism espoused by Thomas Hobbes and the moral sense theory of Francis Hutcheson. He proposed the greatest happiness principle, suggesting that virtue involves conforming to rules that promote the happiness of others. His ideas influenced later thinkers such as Abraham Tucker and William Paley. David Hartley also credited Gay's assertion of the importance of psychological association in human nature as a key inspiration for his own work, "Observations on Man" (1749). Gay received his education at Torrington School and Blundell's School. He was elected a Blundell's Scholar at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1718, graduating with a B.A. in 1721/2 and an M.A. in 1725. He served as a Fellow of the college from 1724 to 1732, where he lectured on Hebrew, Greek, and ecclesiastical history. In 1730, Gay left his fellowship to become Vicar of Wilshamstead and later also took on the living of Haynes. He died on July 18, 1745, and was buried in Wilshamstead.
The works
Dissertation Concerning the Fundamental Principle of Virtue or Morality
The quotes
We only part to meet again.
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
The comfortable estate of widowhood is the only hope that keeps up a wife's spirits.
I must have women - there is nothing unbends the mind like them.
The brave love mercy, and delight to save.
What then in love can woman do? If we grow fond they shun us. And when we fly them, they pursue: But leave us when they've won us.
No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.
A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and the world, my dear, hath not such a contempt for roguery as you imagine.
On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.
She who has never loved has never lived.
Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy and delight to save.
An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretended friend is worse.
Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow thee.
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one's self.
O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed, by keeping men off, you keep them on.
Shadow owes its birth to light.
Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.
Lions, wolves, and vultures don't live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of prey, man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his neighbor, and yet we herd together.
But money, wife, is the true Fuller's Earth for reputations, there is not a spot or a stain but what it can take out.
But his kiss was so sweet, and so closely he pressed, that I languished and pined till I granted the rest.