The Philosopher

Joseph Glanvill

The face

The background

Nationality:
English
Schools:
Latitudinarianism, Cambridge Platonism, Cartesianism
Branchs:
Philosophy, Theology, Natural Philosophy
Period:
17th century

The synopsis

Joseph Glanvill (1636–1680) was an English writer, philosopher, and clergyman, noted as a skillful apologist for the natural philosophers of his time. Born in Plymouth, he was educated at Oxford University. Glanvill held several clerical positions and was a Fellow of the Royal Society. His works, such as *The Vanity of Dogmatizing* and *Saducismus Triumphatus*, explored themes of religious toleration, the scientific method, skepticism, and the supernatural, including witchcraft. He advocated for a middle way in philosophical issues, balancing reason with faith, and defended the existence of spirits against emerging skepticism, viewing such denial as a path to atheism. His writings influenced later figures like Cotton Mather and were part of a broader effort to reconcile science and religion.

The works

The quotes

That though we are certain of many things, yet that Certainty is no absolute Infallibility, there still remains the possibility of our being mistaken in all matters of humane Belief and Inquiry.
Joseph Glanvill
The belief of our Reason is an Exercise of Faith, and Faith is an Act of Reason.
Joseph Glanvill
It may not be impossible, but that our Faculties may be so construed, as always to deceive us in the things we judge most certain and assured.
Joseph Glanvill
And for mathematical science, he that doubts their certainty hath need of a dose of hellebore.
Joseph Glanvill