Joseph Butler

Date of Birth: May 18, 1692

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: June 16, 1752

Biography

Joseph Butler was an influential English clergyman and philosopher, renowned for his contributions to Christian apologetics and moral philosophy. Born in the early 18th century, Butler’s intellectual prowess was evident from a young age. He attended Oriel College, Oxford, and later became a highly respected theologian and preacher. Butler is best known for his work “The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Constitution and Course of Nature,” published in 1736, which argued for the rationality of Christian faith. Throughout his career, Butler held various ecclesiastical positions, including the Bishop of Bristol and later the Bishop of Durham. His philosophical insights, particularly on human nature and ethics, have had a lasting impact on both religious and secular thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Joseph Butler

1. Joseph Butler’s “The Analogy of Religion” was instrumental in countering deism during the Enlightenment.

2. He was ordained as a deacon in 1718 and as a priest in 1719.

3. Butler served as the head chaplain to Caroline, Queen Consort of King George II.

4. His sermons on human nature and morality are considered foundational texts in Anglican moral theology.

5. Butler’s influence extended to notable figures such as John Henry Newman and C.S. Lewis.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joseph Butler

1. “Every thing is what it is, and not another thing.”

2. “Happiness does not consist in self-love, but in love of virtue.”

3. “Probability is the very guide of life.”

4. “Compassion is a call, a demand of nature, to relieve the unhappy as hunger is a natural call for food.”

5. “Things and actions are what they are, and the consequences of them will be what they will be: why then should we desire to be deceived?”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a clergyman in the 18th century, Joseph Butler did not amass a significant personal fortune. His highest net worth would likely be equivalent to the assets and income typical of a high-ranking ecclesiastical official of his time, primarily derived from his positions as the Bishop of Bristol and the Bishop of Durham.