William Wallace

Whyte’s Professor of Moral Philosophy, Oxford

Lectures and Essays on Natural Theology and Ethics

This series of lectures serves as a much-needed introduction to German Idealism, theology, and ethics. By engaging with philosophical positions and expounding on the coherence of philosophical theology, Wallace shows the necessity of constructing a systematic philosophical framework. While his work provides a compelling overview of Idealist theology, it is also an excellent means by which Nietzsche and Hegel can be understood and applied more generally.

Biography

William Wallace was born on 11 May 1843 in Cupar, Scotland. His knowledge of Kant, Fichte, Herder, and Hegel was unparalleled, and his contribution to the reception of German thought in Britain cannot be overemphasised. Wallace gained an Exhibition to Balliol College, Oxford in 1864, and soon after became a fellow of Merton College. He was appointed a tutor of Merton in 1868, and eventually became its librarian. In 1882, Wallace became Whyte’s Professor of Moral Philosophy at Oxford and held that office until his untimely death in 1897.

Although he never pursued clerical ministry, his concern for pedagogy and profound influence upon many generations of students of philosophy at Oxford is evidence of his pastoral concern. Some of Wallace’s more well-known works include Kant (1882), Life of Schopenhauer (1890); The Logic of Hegel, (1892), Prolegomena to the Study of Hegel’s Philosophy, And Especially of His Logic (1894), Lectures and Essays on Natural Theology and Ethics (1898), and Epicureanism (1902).

Published/Archival Resources

Published as Lectures and Essays on Natural Theology and Ethics.