journalist, political philosopher
and novel
ist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism
, and the first modern proponent of anarchism
. Godwin is most famous for two books that he published within the space of a year: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice
, an attack on political institutions, and Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams, which attacks aristocrat
ic privilege, but also is virtually the first mystery novel.
As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking.
Perfectibility is one of the most unequivocal characteristics of the human species.
If there be such a thing as truth, it must infallibly be struck out by the collision of mind with mind.
Whenever government assumes to deliver us from the trouble of thinking for ourselves, the only consequences it produces are those of torpor and imbecility.
The proper method for hastening the decay of error, is not, by brute force, or by regulation which is one of the classes of force, to endeavour to reduce men to intellectual uniformity; but on the contrary by teaching every man to think for himself.