William Dudgeon (philosopher) facts for kids

William Dudgeon (born 1705 or 1706, died 1743) was a Scottish thinker and writer. He was a farmer who lived at Lennel Hill Farm, near Coldstream in Scotland. Dudgeon was one of several important thinkers in his area during that time. Other famous people in this group included Andrew Baxter, Henry Home (Lord Kames), and especially David Hume.

Early Ideas and Disagreements

William Dudgeon's first book was called 'The Necessity of some of the Positive Institutes of Ch__ty Considered' (1731). In this book, he supported the ideas of Matthew Tindal. Tindal had written a book called 'Christianity as Old as Creation'.

Dudgeon's next book, 'The State of the Moral World Considered' (1732), caused more discussion. In this work, he wrote about "optimism," meaning he believed that everything happens for the best. He also wrote about "necessitarianism," which suggests that events are meant to happen. These ideas were similar to those of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury and Anthony Collins.

A Big Disagreement

Another thinker named Andrew Baxter strongly disagreed with Dudgeon's book. Baxter was a well-known supporter of Samuel Clarke's ideas in Scotland. Baxter said Dudgeon's ideas were against common religious beliefs.

Because of these strong criticisms, local church leaders tried to stop Dudgeon from sharing his ideas. One of these church leaders was an uncle of David Hume. Hume was also living nearby at this time.

Later Writings and Influence

Among Dudgeon's other important books was 'Philosophical Letters' (1737). He wrote these letters to John Jackson (controversialist), another person who followed Samuel Clarke's ideas. In this book, Dudgeon questioned some of Isaac Newton's ideas about the world and about right and wrong.

Instead, Dudgeon suggested that God is in everything and that only minds and ideas truly exist. This idea combined views from George Berkeley and Spinoza. He also wrote about a "moral sense ethics," similar to Shaftesbury's ideas, which means people have a natural feeling for what is right. This book was reviewed positively in a journal called 'History of the Works of the Learned'. The review noted Dudgeon's ideas were similar to Spinoza's.

Other Debates

William Dudgeon also had a debate with William Warburton about a poem called 'Essay on Man' by Alexander Pope. Warburton, who was a friend of Andrew Baxter, called Dudgeon one of "the tribe of Free-thinkers." He grouped Dudgeon with other thinkers like John Toland, Matthew Tindal, and Anthony Collins.

Years later, John Witherspoon mentioned Dudgeon in his satirical work 'Ecclesiastical Characteristics'. Witherspoon listed Dudgeon with thinkers like Shaftesbury, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Collins, and Kames. He said their ideas influenced a group within the Church of Scotland. These debates and mentions show that Dudgeon's ideas were known and discussed in both Scotland and England.

Dudgeon and David Hume

There is no proof that Dudgeon and David Hume ever met directly. However, they lived close to each other when Hume was young and starting his own philosophical work. Also, Hume's uncle was involved in the efforts to stop Dudgeon's ideas.

It is likely that Hume knew about Dudgeon's writings and the discussions they caused. Dudgeon and Hume shared similar interests in philosophy. They also held similar views on several important topics.

William Dudgeon strongly believed that everything happens for the best. He died at the age of 37 from a lung illness on January 28, 1743, in Upsettlington, Berwickshire. His most important works were collected into one book, which was published in 1765.

Major Works

• The Necessity of some of the Positive Institutions of Ch__ty Considered, 1731.
• The State of the Moral World considered; or a Vindication of Providence in the Government of the Moral World, 1732. This book tried to explain why bad things happen in the world.
• Philosophical Letters concerning the Being and Attributes of God, 1737. These letters were written to John Jackson. Dudgeon argued that God is the only true substance.
• A Catechism founded upon Experience and Reason. Collected by a Father for the use of his Children, with an Introductory Letter to a Friend concerning Natural Religion, 1744. This book discussed Natural religion, which is about beliefs that are common to all religions and can be understood through reason.

A collection of his works, titled The Philosophical Works of Mr. William Dudgeon, was published in 1765.

Reviews and Responses

• Andrew Baxter, 'Some reflections on a late pamphlet called, ‘The state of the moral world considered’' (1732).
• 'History of the Works of the Learned', April 1737, art. 26 (a review of Dudgeon's letters to Jackson).
• 'Bibliothèque Raisonnée' (April/May/June 1737) (another review of Dudgeon's letters to Jackson).