The Fable of the Bees (eBook)

Bernard Mandeville, a Dutch-born English philosopher, political economist, and satirist, is widely known for his seminal work 'The Fable of the Bees: or, Private Vices, Publick Benefits', first published in 1714. Mandeville's controversial thesis in 'The Fable of the Bees' centers on the paradox that society benefits from the selfish actions of individuals—a viewpoint that predated and influenced the later economic theories of Adam Smith. Born in 1670 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Mandeville received a doctorate in philosophy and medicine from the University of Leiden before moving to England. His work often critiqued and challenged prevailing moral and economic assumptions of his time. His pamphlet 'The Fable of the Bees' began as a modest poem titled 'The Grumbling Hive', but as it generated both interest and outrage, Mandeville expanded it with a series of extensive commentaries and elaborations. This expansion explored the intersection of ethics and economics, sparking vigorous debate among contemporaries. Mandeville's influence extends beyond economics to the realm of ethics and sociological theory; his writings provoke reflection on the complex interplay between individual actions and societal well-being. Mandeville died in 1733, leaving a legacy as an incisive and unorthodox thinker whose work continues to be studied for its impact on Enlightenment thought and classical economic theory.