1698day.year
William Molyneux
(1656 - 1698)
Irish philosopher and writer
Irish philosopher and writer
Irish philosopher and writer known for posing the famous Molyneux's Problem.
Born in Dublin in 1656, William Molyneux was a founding member of the Dublin Philosophical Society. He is best remembered for Molyneux's Problem, a thought experiment on human perception later discussed by John Locke. Molyneux also published works on optics and astronomy, including Dioptrica Nova. He engaged in political writings advocating for Irish legislative independence from England. His correspondence with leading thinkers of his time cemented his reputation as a pioneering philosopher. He died in 1698, leaving a legacy in both natural philosophy and political thought.
1698
William Molyneux