Bernard Mandeville

The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (eBook, ePUB)

Exploring Self-Interest and Societal Progress in the Enlightenment Era

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In 'The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits,' Bernard Mandeville intertwines a satirical narrative with philosophical discourse, examining the paradox between individual self-interest and societal welfare. Set in the early 18th century, this provocative work employs a fable-like allegory to critique contemporary moral values, challenging the idealism that equates virtue with public good. Mandeville's audacious thesis posits that private vices, such as greed and vanity, can inadvertently contribute to communal prosperity, thus blurring the traditional boundaries between morality and economic reality. His witty style and incisive reasoning invite readers to grapple with the complexities of human behavior, making this text a cornerstone of early economic thought and moral philosophy. Bernard Mandeville, a physician and social theorist, was born in 1670 in the Dutch Republic. His background in medicine and philosophy allowed him to explore the intricate relationships between individual actions and societal systems. Drawing inspiration from the emerging ideas of Enlightenment thinkers, Mandeville's works reflect a radical departure from the prevailing moral absolutism of his time, positioning him as a precursor to later economic theorists like Adam Smith and the utilitarian philosophers. This book is essential for readers intrigued by the intersections of economics, ethics, and social philosophy. Mandeville's bold exploration of the human condition invites a re-examination of accepted moral paradigms, encouraging debates that remain relevant today. Those seeking to understand the foundations of capitalism and the complexities of self-interest will find 'The Fable of the Bees' to be a challenging yet rewarding read.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 640
• Erscheinungstermin: 21. November 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4057664648143
• Artikelnr.: 58499350

Autorenporträt

Bernard Mandeville, a philosopher, political economist, and satirist, was born in 1670 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He relocated to England, where he practiced as a physician and gained notoriety with his publication 'The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits' in 1714. Mandeville's magnum opus featured the poem 'The Grumbling Hive,' which he had published earlier in 1705, serving as an allegory that controversially argued for the paradox that a society's economic prosperity was fueled by individual self-interest and vices. His work gave impetus to discussions on morality, economic theory, and the interplay between individual actions and collective welfare. Mandeville's ideas ran counter to the prevailing moral philosophies of his day, indirectly challenging thinkers like Locke and Rousseau by suggesting that actions deemed as vice, such as greed and vanity, could lead to beneficial outcomes for society, thus laying the groundwork for what would become the field of classical economics. His writings sparked fervent debates about the role of morality in economics and greatly influenced later economists, including Adam Smith. Mandeville's provocative thesis that private vices yield public benefits made him one of the most discussed authors of his time. Though his ideas were initially received with repugnance due to their cynicism towards human virtues, they have since received scholarly attention for their early exploration of the unintended consequences of self-interested behavior. Mandeville passed away in 1733, leaving behind a legacy that continues to provoke thought concerning the complexities of vice and virtue in the fabric of society.