Pierre Gassendi 1592 – 1655
Pierre Gassendi (1592 – 1655) was a French philosopher of the Modern era, associated with Early Modern Philosophy and Empiricism.
Pierre Gassendi was a French Catholic priest, astronomer, and philosopher and one of the leading anti-Aristotelian voices of seventeenth-century thought. He observed the transit of Mercury in 1631, discovered the aurora borealis as a regular natural phenomenon, and corresponded across Europe on the new astronomy. His Syntagma Philosophicum revived Epicurean atomism in a Christian framework, rehabilitating Epicurus's reputation while subordinating atomic theory to divine creation and providence. He wrote a sustained set of objections to Descartes's Meditations and was a principal influence on Locke, Boyle, and the early modern empirical tradition.
Key facts
- Nationality
- French
- Era
- Modern
- Movements
- Early Modern Philosophy, Empiricism
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Pierre Gassendi:
“Atoms and the void are the elements of the natural world.”
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Attributed to Pierre Gassendi:
“Sense is the fountain of knowledge.”
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Attributed to Pierre Gassendi:
“Reason without experience builds empty schemes.”
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Attributed to Pierre Gassendi:
“The atom is the work of God, not the product of chance.”
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Attributed to Pierre Gassendi:
“Epicurus, rightly read, may be reconciled with the Christian faith.”
Frequently asked about Pierre Gassendi
- When did Pierre Gassendi live?
- Pierre Gassendi was born in 1592 and died in 1655.
- Where was Pierre Gassendi from?
- Pierre Gassendi was a French philosopher of the Modern era.
- What philosophical movements is Pierre Gassendi associated with?
- Pierre Gassendi was associated with Early Modern Philosophy and Empiricism.
- What was Pierre Gassendi known for?
- Pierre Gassendi was a French Catholic priest, astronomer, and philosopher and one of the leading anti-Aristotelian voices of seventeenth-century thought.
- How many quotes are attributed to Pierre Gassendi?
- There are 6 attributed quotations from Pierre Gassendi in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.