Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-vfjqv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T00:47:53.725Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

10 - Robert Boyle on Epicurean atheism and atomism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2009

Margaret J. Osler
Affiliation:
University of Calgary
Get access

Summary

In Boyle's published works there are many references to Epicurean atomism and atheism. He refused to pronounce publicly on the first but was willing to pronounce decidedly on the second. He did not, however, publish any sustained piece directly on atheism, though he seems to have continued to work on the topic of atheism throughout his life. His firm belief in Christianity began early – he underwent a conversion from unthinking to committed Christianity at the age of thirteen – and continued until his death. In his will he left a sum of money to fund an annual series of lectures against atheism, the intent being to refute infidels (with a caution against internecine quibbling), spread the word, and soothe serious doubts. The eleventh sheet of his will reads in part,

Whereas I have an intention to Settle in my Life time the Sume of Fifty pounds per Annum for ever or att Least for a Considerable Number of yeares to be for an Annual Salary for some Learned divine or Preaching Minister from time to time to be Elected and Resident within the City of London or Circuite of the Bills of Mortality, who shall be enjoyned to performe the Offices following (vizt)

Type
Chapter
Information
Atoms, Pneuma, and Tranquillity
Epicurean and Stoic Themes in European Thought
, pp. 197 - 220
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×