Bernard Mandeville

Bernard Mandeville
Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) was a Dutch-born philosopher, economist, and satirist who is best known for his work "The Fable of the Bees". In this book, Mandeville argued that private vices, such as greed and selfishness, can lead to public benefits like economic prosperity and social progress. His provocative ideas challenged traditional moral philosophy and influenced early debates about capitalism and economics. Mandeville's work was controversial in its time, drawing both criticism and admiration for its bold stance on human nature and the role of vice in society.

Author's Books:


INTRODUCTION The Letter to Dion, Mandeville's last publication, was, in form, a reply to Bishop Berkeley's Alciphron: or, the Minute Philosopher. In Alciphron, a series of dialogues directed against "free thinkers" in general, Dion is the presiding host and Alciphron and Lysicles are the expositors of objectionable doctrines. Mandeville's Fable of the Bees is attacked in the... more...

I take it for granted, that a Christian is not bound to believe any Thing to have been of Divine Institution, that has not been declared to be such in Holy Writ. Yet great Offence has been taken at an Essay, in the First Part of the Fable of the Bees, call'd An Enquiry into the Origin of Moral Virtue; notwithstanding the great Caution it is wrote with. Since then, it is thought Criminal to... more...