John Wilkins

John Wilkins (1614–1672) was an influential English clergyman, natural philosopher, and founding member of the Royal Society. He is best…

By Staff , in Philosophers , at October 12, 2024 Tags: philosophers

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John Wilkins (1614–1672) was an influential English clergyman, natural philosopher, and founding member of the Royal Society. He is best known for his work in the areas of science, theology, and language, and his efforts to promote the idea of scientific collaboration across national and religious lines during a time of political and religious turmoil in England. Wilkins made significant contributions to early astronomy, mathematics, and linguistics, and was a central figure in the intellectual movement that helped lay the foundations of modern science.

Early Life and Education
John Wilkins was born in Fawsley, Northamptonshire, in 1614. He came from a prominent clerical family; his father was a goldsmith, but his maternal grandfather, John Dod, was a well-known Puritan clergyman. Wilkins studied at Magdalen Hall, Oxford (now part of Hertford College), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1631 and a Master of Arts degree in 1634.

Religious and Academic Roles:
Wilkins was ordained as a priest in the Church of England and held various academic and clerical positions throughout his life, including posts at Oxford and Cambridge. However, his intellectual pursuits went far beyond theology, and he quickly became engaged in the scientific developments of his time.

Scientific Contributions and Philosophy
Wilkins was a key figure in promoting and advancing the scientific revolution in England, and he is often remembered for his broad range of scientific interests, particularly in astronomy and mechanics.

Early Works on Astronomy:
In 1638, Wilkins published his first significant work, “The Discovery of a World in the Moone,” which discussed the possibility of extraterrestrial life and argued that the Moon could be inhabited. Wilkins, following the Copernican heliocentric model, supported the idea that the Earth was not the center of the universe. This work was important for its speculative nature and its challenge to geocentric views, which were still dominant at the time.

His follow-up book, “A Discourse Concerning a New Planet” (1640), expanded on these ideas and continued to challenge traditional Aristotelian cosmology. Wilkins was fascinated by the possibility of space exploration, and he speculated about the use of flying machines to travel to the Moon.

Mathematics and Mechanics:
Wilkins also contributed to the study of mechanics. His Mathematical Magick (1648) explored the use of machines and devices, discussing topics ranging from simple machines (levers, pulleys, and gears) to more speculative concepts like perpetual motion and flying machines. This work reflects Wilkins’ interest in applying scientific principles to practical inventions.

Language and Communication:
Another of Wilkins’ most notable contributions was his effort to create a universal language. In 1668, he published “An Essay Towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language,” which aimed to develop a universal system of communication that could transcend national and linguistic barriers. His goal was to create a language based on logical categories and objective meanings, allowing for precise communication in science and philosophy.

Although Wilkins’ universal language never gained widespread adoption, it was an early attempt at a constructed language and influenced later work in linguistics and philosophy, including Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s ideas on a universal logical language.

The Royal Society
Wilkins was one of the founding members of the Royal Society, the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, which was formally established in 1660. The Royal Society was dedicated to the advancement of natural knowledge and became a cornerstone of the scientific revolution in England.

Promoting Collaborative Science:
Wilkins played a key role in the organization of scientific inquiry and the promotion of experimental science. His vision for the Royal Society was a place where scholars and thinkers could exchange ideas across political, religious, and national divides. This idea was revolutionary in a period marked by intense political strife in England, including the English Civil War (1642–1651), the execution of King Charles I, and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell.

Scientific Method:
As a leading member of the Royal Society, Wilkins encouraged the use of the scientific method—experimentation, observation, and collaboration—to advance knowledge. The Society became a hub for many of the era’s greatest minds, including Isaac Newton, Robert Hooke, and Robert Boyle.

Political and Religious Life
Wilkins managed to navigate the volatile political and religious landscape of 17th-century England with remarkable skill, maintaining relationships with figures from both sides of the religious and political spectrum.

Protectorate Period:
During the Protectorate under Cromwell, Wilkins served as Warden of Wadham College, Oxford (1648–1659), where he fostered a group of scholars that would later form the nucleus of the Royal Society. Despite being a clergyman of the Church of England, Wilkins was able to maintain his position under the Puritan regime, largely due to his moderate stance and personal connections.

Restoration Period:
After the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, Wilkins continued to rise in prominence. He was made Bishop of Chester in 1668, serving until his death in 1672. His moderate views and desire to bridge religious divisions made him a respected figure across the political and religious spectrum.

Death and Legacy
John Wilkins died on November 19, 1672. His contributions to science, philosophy, and theology had a lasting impact, especially his role in establishing the Royal Society, which continues to be a leading institution for scientific inquiry.

Influence on Later Thinkers:
Wilkins’ ideas about science, language, and cosmology influenced many thinkers of his time and later periods. His promotion of rationalism and empirical science helped pave the way for the Enlightenment, and his works on language and communication were precursors to modern studies in semiotics and linguistics.

Although some of his more speculative ideas, such as traveling to the Moon, may seem fanciful today, they were indicative of his forward-thinking approach and his belief in the boundless potential of human ingenuity and exploration.