William Molyneux
Encyclopedia
William Molyneux FRS (17 April 1656 – 11 October 1698) was an Irish
natural philosopher and writer on politics.
He was born in Dublin to Samuel Molyneux (1616–1693), lawyer and landowner (whose grandfather had come to Dublin from Calais
), and his wife, Anne, née Dowdall. The second of five children, William Molyneux came from a relatively prosperous Anglican
background. He was close to his brother Thomas
, with whom he later shared philosophical interests. In 1671 Molyneux started at Trinity College, Dublin where he became an avid reader of the leading figures of the Scientific Revolution
. After attaining a Bachelor of Arts there, Molyneux was sent to study law in the Middle Temple, London from 1675–8. In 1678 he married Lucy Domville (?–1691), the youngest daughter of Sir Wiliam Domville the Attorney-General for Ireland
. His wife became ill, which led to blindness, after their marriage and died young. Of their 3 children, only Samuel Molyneux
(1689–1728) lived past childhood. Samuel went on to become an astronomer
and politician who worked with his father on various scientific endeavors.
Nonetheless, he held a number of official positions throughout his life. He was appointed Joint Surveyor General
of the King's buildings and works in Ireland
in 1684. He represented Dublin University
in Parliament from 1692 until his death. He had also served as a commissioner of forfeited estates in 1693, resigning a few months later due to ill health.
Meanwhile, Molyneux was responsible for a number of publications reflecting his diverse interests. His first book was editing and translating into English the work of René Descartes which was published in London, 1680 as Six Metaphysical Meditations, Wherein it is Proved that there is a God.... In 1682 Molyneux collaborated with Roderic O'Flaherty to collect material for Moses Pitt
's Atlas. In 1685, Pitt's financial crisis lead to cancellation of the project but much valuable early Irish history had been collected. Molyneux struck a friendship with O'Flaherty and assisted when the latter's treatise Ogygia was published in London.
Meanwhile, in October 1683 he founded the Dublin Philosophical Society
along the lines of the Royal Society
(of which Molyneux became a fellow in 1685), and became its first Secretary. He was active in the proceedings of the society - recording weather data, calculating eclipses and demonstrating instruments and experiments.
Molyneux also published several papers in Philosophical Transactions, as well as papers on optics, natural philosophy, and miscellaneous topics. Perhaps his best known scientific work was Dioptrica Nova, A treatise of dioptricks in two parts, wherein the various effects and appearances of spherick glasses, both convex and concave, single and combined, in telescopes and microscopes, together with their usefulness in many concerns of humane life, are explained, published in London 1692.
After John Locke
published his Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690), Molyneux wrote to him praising the work.
Early in 1698, Molyneux published The Case of Ireland's being Bound by Acts of Parliament in England, Stated. This controversial work—through application of historical and legal precedent—dealt with contentious constitutional issues that had emerged in the latter years of the seventeenth century as a result of attempts on the part of the English Parliament to pass laws that would suppress the Irish woolen trade. It also dealt with the disputed appellate jurisdiction of the Irish House of Lords. Molyneux's arguments reflected those made in an unpublished piece written by his father-in-law Sir William Domville, entitled A Disquisition Touching That Great Question Whether an Act of Parliament Made in England Shall Bind the Kingdom and People of Ireland Without Their Allowance and Acceptance of Such Act in the Kingdom of Ireland.
Following a debate in the English House of Commons, it was resolved that Molyneux's publication was ‘of dangerous consequence to the crown and people of England by denying the authority of the king and parliament of England to bind the kingdom and people of Ireland’. Despite condemnation in England, Molyneux was not punished but his work was condemned as seditious and was ceremonially burned at Tyburn by the public hangman. His arguments remained topical in Ireland as constitutional issues arose throughout the eighteenth century, and formed part of Swift's argument in Drapier's Letters. The tract also gained attention in the American colonies
as they moved towards independence. Although The Case of Ireland, Stated was later associated with independence movements—both in Ireland and America—as one historian points out, 'Molyneux's constitutional arguments can easily be misinterpreted' and he was 'in no sense a separatist'.
, which Locke discussed in later editions of the Essay. He is also an ancestor of anarcho-capitalist philosopher and writer, Stefan Molyneux
. The problem of the blind man who gains sight, which he proposed to Locke, remains a topic that is discussed even in our day. The University Philosophical Society of Trinity College, Dublin
views itself as the successor of the Dublin Philosophical Society, and thus recognizes Molyneux as its founder and first president.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
natural philosopher and writer on politics.
He was born in Dublin to Samuel Molyneux (1616–1693), lawyer and landowner (whose grandfather had come to Dublin from Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
), and his wife, Anne, née Dowdall. The second of five children, William Molyneux came from a relatively prosperous Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
background. He was close to his brother Thomas
Sir Thomas Molyneux, 1st Baronet
Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Molyneux, 1st Baronet FRS was an Irish physician.Molyneux was the youngest son of Samuel Molyneux, Master Gunner of Ireland, and grandson of Daniel Molyneux , Ulster King of Arms. Educated Trinity College, Dublin, he became a doctor with an MA and MB in 1683, aged 22...
, with whom he later shared philosophical interests. In 1671 Molyneux started at Trinity College, Dublin where he became an avid reader of the leading figures of the Scientific Revolution
Scientific revolution
The Scientific Revolution is an era associated primarily with the 16th and 17th centuries during which new ideas and knowledge in physics, astronomy, biology, medicine and chemistry transformed medieval and ancient views of nature and laid the foundations for modern science...
. After attaining a Bachelor of Arts there, Molyneux was sent to study law in the Middle Temple, London from 1675–8. In 1678 he married Lucy Domville (?–1691), the youngest daughter of Sir Wiliam Domville the Attorney-General for Ireland
Attorney-General for Ireland
The Attorney-General for Ireland was an Irish and then United Kingdom government office. The holder was senior to the Solicitor-General for Ireland, and advised the Crown on Irish legal matters...
. His wife became ill, which led to blindness, after their marriage and died young. Of their 3 children, only Samuel Molyneux
Samuel Molyneux
Samuel Molyneux FRS , son of William Molyneux, was an 18th-century member of the British parliament from Kew and an amateur astronomer whose work with James Bradley attempting to measure stellar parallax led to the discovery of the aberration of light...
(1689–1728) lived past childhood. Samuel went on to become an astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
and politician who worked with his father on various scientific endeavors.
Career & Publications
Due to his inheritance, Molyneux was financially independent.Nonetheless, he held a number of official positions throughout his life. He was appointed Joint Surveyor General
Surveyor General of Ireland
The office of Surveyor General of Ireland was an appointed office under the Dublin Castle administration of Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Surveyor General was typically responsible for the surveying, design and construction of civic works, and was often involved in overseeing the...
of the King's buildings and works in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1684. He represented Dublin University
Dublin University (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Dublin University was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons from 1603 to 1801.-History:This university constituency was first enfranchised as a Parliamentary constituency in 1603...
in Parliament from 1692 until his death. He had also served as a commissioner of forfeited estates in 1693, resigning a few months later due to ill health.
Meanwhile, Molyneux was responsible for a number of publications reflecting his diverse interests. His first book was editing and translating into English the work of René Descartes which was published in London, 1680 as Six Metaphysical Meditations, Wherein it is Proved that there is a God.... In 1682 Molyneux collaborated with Roderic O'Flaherty to collect material for Moses Pitt
Moses Pitt
Moses Pitt was a bookseller and printer known for the production of his Atlas of the world, a project supported by the Royal Society, and in particular by Christopher Wren...
's Atlas. In 1685, Pitt's financial crisis lead to cancellation of the project but much valuable early Irish history had been collected. Molyneux struck a friendship with O'Flaherty and assisted when the latter's treatise Ogygia was published in London.
Meanwhile, in October 1683 he founded the Dublin Philosophical Society
Dublin Philosophical Society
The Dublin Philosophical Society was founded in 1683 by William Molyneux. It was intended to be the equivalent of the Royal Society in London, with which it maintained cultural ties. Among its most prominent members were William Petty, Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, Archbishop William King and Bishop...
along the lines of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(of which Molyneux became a fellow in 1685), and became its first Secretary. He was active in the proceedings of the society - recording weather data, calculating eclipses and demonstrating instruments and experiments.
Molyneux also published several papers in Philosophical Transactions, as well as papers on optics, natural philosophy, and miscellaneous topics. Perhaps his best known scientific work was Dioptrica Nova, A treatise of dioptricks in two parts, wherein the various effects and appearances of spherick glasses, both convex and concave, single and combined, in telescopes and microscopes, together with their usefulness in many concerns of humane life, are explained, published in London 1692.
After John Locke
John Locke
John Locke FRS , widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social...
published his Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690), Molyneux wrote to him praising the work.
Early in 1698, Molyneux published The Case of Ireland's being Bound by Acts of Parliament in England, Stated. This controversial work—through application of historical and legal precedent—dealt with contentious constitutional issues that had emerged in the latter years of the seventeenth century as a result of attempts on the part of the English Parliament to pass laws that would suppress the Irish woolen trade. It also dealt with the disputed appellate jurisdiction of the Irish House of Lords. Molyneux's arguments reflected those made in an unpublished piece written by his father-in-law Sir William Domville, entitled A Disquisition Touching That Great Question Whether an Act of Parliament Made in England Shall Bind the Kingdom and People of Ireland Without Their Allowance and Acceptance of Such Act in the Kingdom of Ireland.
Following a debate in the English House of Commons, it was resolved that Molyneux's publication was ‘of dangerous consequence to the crown and people of England by denying the authority of the king and parliament of England to bind the kingdom and people of Ireland’. Despite condemnation in England, Molyneux was not punished but his work was condemned as seditious and was ceremonially burned at Tyburn by the public hangman. His arguments remained topical in Ireland as constitutional issues arose throughout the eighteenth century, and formed part of Swift's argument in Drapier's Letters. The tract also gained attention in the American colonies
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
as they moved towards independence. Although The Case of Ireland, Stated was later associated with independence movements—both in Ireland and America—as one historian points out, 'Molyneux's constitutional arguments can easily be misinterpreted' and he was 'in no sense a separatist'.
Legacy
Molyneux, who died in Dublin on 11 October 1698, also proposed the philosophical question that has since become known as Molyneux's ProblemMolyneux's Problem
Molyneux's problem is a thought experiment in philosophy concerning immediate recovery from blindness.It was first formulated by William Molyneux, and notably referenced in John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding....
, which Locke discussed in later editions of the Essay. He is also an ancestor of anarcho-capitalist philosopher and writer, Stefan Molyneux
Stefan Molyneux
Stefan Basil Molyneux is a blogger, essayist, author, and host of the Freedomain Radio series of podcasts, living in Mississauga, Canada...
. The problem of the blind man who gains sight, which he proposed to Locke, remains a topic that is discussed even in our day. The University Philosophical Society of Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
views itself as the successor of the Dublin Philosophical Society, and thus recognizes Molyneux as its founder and first president.
External links
- Portrait
- Europa Biography
- FromThe Online Library of LibertyThe Case of Ireland being bound by Acts of Parliament in England, Stated [1698]