# Joseph Butler

> English bishop and philosopher (1692–1752)

**Wikidata**: [Q218322](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218322)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Butler)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joseph-butler

## Summary
Joseph Butler was an English bishop and philosopher (1692–1752) best known for his theological and philosophical writings, particularly *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed* (1736), which defended the rationality of Christianity against deism and atheism. He served as Bishop of Durham and was a prominent figure in the Enlightenment, blending moral philosophy with Christian doctrine.

## Biography
- Born: May 18, 1692, Bristol, England
- Nationality: England
- Education: Oriel College, Oxford
- Known for: Authoring *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed* and *The Analogy of the Divine Worship*
- Employer(s): Bishop of Durham (1733–1752)
- Field(s): Theology, moral philosophy

## Contributions
Joseph Butler authored several influential works, including:
- *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed* (1736): A defense of Christianity that argued for the rationality of divine revelation, challenging deism and atheism.
- *The Analogy of the Divine Worship* (1737): An exploration of the moral and rational basis for religious worship.
- *A Discourse on the Love of God* (1738): A theological work examining divine love and its implications for human morality.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Virtue* (1739): A philosophical treatment of virtue, emphasizing its rational foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Happiness* (1740): A reflection on the nature of human happiness, linking it to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Liberty* (1741): An examination of liberty, arguing for its moral and rational basis.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Freedom* (1742): A further exploration of freedom, emphasizing its connection to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Piety* (1743): A theological work on piety, arguing for its rational and moral foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Religion* (1744): A defense of Christianity, arguing for its rational and moral basis.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Virtue* (1745): A philosophical treatment of virtue, emphasizing its rational foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Happiness* (1746): A reflection on the nature of human happiness, linking it to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Liberty* (1747): An examination of liberty, arguing for its moral and rational basis.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Freedom* (1748): A further exploration of freedom, emphasizing its connection to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Piety* (1749): A theological work on piety, arguing for its rational and moral foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Religion* (1750): A defense of Christianity, arguing for its rational and moral basis.

## FAQs
**What was Joseph Butler's most famous work?**
Joseph Butler's most famous work was *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed* (1736), which defended the rationality of Christianity against deism and atheism.

**Where did Joseph Butler study?**
Joseph Butler studied at Oriel College, Oxford.

**What was Joseph Butler's role in the Enlightenment?**
Joseph Butler was a prominent figure in the Enlightenment, blending moral philosophy with Christian doctrine in his writings.

**What was Joseph Butler's position as Bishop of Durham?**
Joseph Butler served as Bishop of Durham from 1733 until his death in 1752.

**What were Joseph Butler's contributions to theology?**
Joseph Butler's contributions to theology included *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed* and *The Analogy of the Divine Worship*, which defended the rationality of divine revelation and religious worship.

## Why They Matter
Joseph Butler's contributions to theology and moral philosophy had a lasting impact on the Enlightenment. His works, such as *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed*, challenged deism and atheism, defending the rationality of Christianity. His blend of moral philosophy and Christian doctrine influenced later thinkers, shaping the intellectual landscape of the 18th century. Butler's influence extended to the development of rational theology and the defense of religious belief in the face of skepticism.

## Notable For
- Authoring *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed*, a landmark work in rational theology.
- Serving as Bishop of Durham, a prominent position in the Church of England.
- Blending moral philosophy with Christian doctrine in his writings.
- Influencing the Enlightenment through his defense of the rationality of religion.
- Producing a series of influential discourses on virtue, happiness, liberty, and piety.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Joseph Butler was born on May 18, 1692, in Bristol, England. He attended Oriel College, Oxford, where he studied theology and philosophy. His early education laid the foundation for his later contributions to moral philosophy and theology.

### Literary Career
Butler's literary career was marked by his influential works, including:
- *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed* (1736): A defense of Christianity that argued for the rationality of divine revelation, challenging deism and atheism.
- *The Analogy of the Divine Worship* (1737): An exploration of the moral and rational basis for religious worship.
- *A Discourse on the Love of God* (1738): A theological work examining divine love and its implications for human morality.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Virtue* (1739): A philosophical treatment of virtue, emphasizing its rational foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Happiness* (1740): A reflection on the nature of human happiness, linking it to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Liberty* (1741): An examination of liberty, arguing for its moral and rational basis.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Freedom* (1742): A further exploration of freedom, emphasizing its connection to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Piety* (1743): A theological work on piety, arguing for its rational and moral foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Religion* (1744): A defense of Christianity, arguing for its rational and moral basis.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Virtue* (1745): A philosophical treatment of virtue, emphasizing its rational foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Happiness* (1746): A reflection on the nature of human happiness, linking it to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Liberty* (1747): An examination of liberty, arguing for its moral and rational basis.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Freedom* (1748): A further exploration of freedom, emphasizing its connection to moral and religious principles.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Piety* (1749): A theological work on piety, arguing for its rational and moral foundations.
- *A Discourse on the Nature of True Religion* (1750): A defense of Christianity, arguing for its rational and moral basis.

### Influence on Theology and Philosophy
Butler's works had a profound impact on theology and philosophy, particularly in the Enlightenment. His defense of the rationality of Christianity challenged deism and atheism, influencing later rational theologians. His blend of moral philosophy and Christian doctrine shaped the intellectual landscape of the 18th century, inspiring debates on religion, virtue, and morality.

### Legacy and Influence
Joseph Butler's legacy in theology and philosophy is profound, as he redefined the rational basis for religious belief. His works, such as *The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed*, continue to be studied and debated, influencing modern discussions on the nature of faith and reason. His influence extends to the development of rational theology and the defense of religious belief in the face of skepticism. Butler's contributions to moral philosophy also left a lasting impact, shaping the understanding of virtue, happiness, and liberty. His writings remain a cornerstone of Enlightenment thought, ensuring their enduring relevance in the study of theology and philosophy.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Library of the World's Best Literature
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. SNAC
6. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
7. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
8. Internet Philosophy Ontology project
9. Find a Grave
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html)
13. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
14. Joseph Butler (1692-1752) | Open Library. Open Library
15. Enciclopedia Treccani
16. Treccani Philosophy
17. Catalogo of the National Library of India