John Smith (Platonist)
Encyclopedia
John Smith was an English
philosopher, theologian, and educator.
, Cambridge, in 1636, took his B.A.
in 1640 and his M.A.
in 1644, at which time he was chosen fellow of Queens' College
. His health seems to have been precarious from the first. His labors were principally confined to his office as teacher, for which he had remarkable qualifications. His preaching was with a rare degree of eloquence, which can still be felt in the Select Discourses (1660). In that work, he writes about several metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding Christianity
- the existence of God, eternal life, and rationality. He gained much local fame as a lecturer on mathematics. His personal character was such as to excite the admiration of his associates in a remarkable degree. As a "founder" of the so-called Cambridge Platonists
, his special service was in developing the foundation of a Christian
philosophy
that was deeply rational, open to the new science, and yet directed to the practical goal of living a religious life.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
philosopher, theologian, and educator.
Life
He entered Emmanuel CollegeEmmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
, Cambridge, in 1636, took his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1640 and his M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1644, at which time he was chosen fellow of Queens' College
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
. His health seems to have been precarious from the first. His labors were principally confined to his office as teacher, for which he had remarkable qualifications. His preaching was with a rare degree of eloquence, which can still be felt in the Select Discourses (1660). In that work, he writes about several metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
- the existence of God, eternal life, and rationality. He gained much local fame as a lecturer on mathematics. His personal character was such as to excite the admiration of his associates in a remarkable degree. As a "founder" of the so-called Cambridge Platonists
Cambridge Platonists
The Cambridge Platonists were a group of philosophers at Cambridge University in the middle of the 17th century .- Programme :...
, his special service was in developing the foundation of a Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
that was deeply rational, open to the new science, and yet directed to the practical goal of living a religious life.