Philosophy of John Norris

Best known today as one of the earliest critics of John Locke, John Norris (1657-1711) incorporated ideas of Augustine, Malebranche, Plato, the Cambridge Platonists, and the scholastics into an original synthesis that was highly influential on the philosophy and theology of his day. W. J. Mander presents a much-needed study of this unjustly neglected thinker, and the different perspectives he offers on this seminal period in philosophical history.

In this excellent study of Norris, W. J. Mander gives a careful and comprehensive account of Norris's metaphysical, epistemological, theological, and ethical views... highly readable., W. J. Mander argues not only that John Norris of Bemerton (1657-1711) was a 'penetrating critic' of his contemporary John Locke, but that his writings played a central role in the English thought of the day., This book is the first of its kind in English in almost thirty years... offers rich and detailed discussions of Norris' metaphysics, epistemology, philosophical theology, theory of love, and his controversy with Locke over the nature of ideas... an important read., Mandel's book is to be commended. I hope it will have a wide circulation and will stimulate many to read Norris's own writings.

W. J. Mander teaches philosophy at Harris Manchester College. He has published extensively on the history of British Idealism.