Bernard Mandeville
4 books
About the Author
Bernard Mandeville (1670–1733) was a Dutch-born English philosopher, satirist, and physician whose provocative ideas challenged the moral foundations of society in the early 18th century. Educated in medicine at Leiden University, he settled in London, where he practiced as a doctor while pursuing his literary passions. Mandeville's sharp wit and unconventional views on human nature, economics, and ethics earned him both admiration and controversy, influencing thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume. His seminal work, The Fable of the Bees: Or, Private Vices, Publick Benefits, ingeniously argues that self-interest and vice drive societal progress, presenting a biting critique of virtue and hypocrisy through verse and prose. A keen observer of human folly, Mandeville's writings remain vital for understanding the tensions between individual desires and collective good.
Common genres
Writing style
satirical
witty
provocative
Books by Bernard Mandeville
