Nathaniel Culverwell's stoic theory of common notions

Abstract

This article takes a closer look at the theory of knowledge developed by Nathaniel Culverwell in his 1652 Elegant and Learned Discourse of the Light of Nature . Based on Culverwell's endorsement of Edward Herbert of Cherbury against Plato and Aristotle, his critical reception of René Descartes, and his contributions to a controversy between Robert Greville and John Wallis, the article seeks to specify his position among his peers. Contrary to several modern commentaries, which describe Culverwell's theory of knowledge as Aristotelian, I show that his theory of knowledge was rather built on a stoic theory of common notions. In the conclusion, I moreover offer some broader lessons about Culverwell's philosophical position and the use of “‐isms” in the history of philosophy.