ABSTRACT
Joseph Butler was an English bishop, theologian, and philosopher. He is best known for his criticism of the egoism of Hobbes and Mandeville. And when one recognizes that God is just and will reward the virtuous and punish the sinner, it becomes clear how self-interested action and love of one’s neighbor need not be in conflict, according to Butler. Whatever ridicule therefore the mention of a disinterested principle or action may be supposed to lie open to, must, upon the matter being thus stated, relate to ambition, and every appetite and particular affection as much as to benevolence. Happiness consists in the gratification of certain affections, appetites, passions, with objects which are by nature adapted to them. There is indeed frequently an inconsistence or interfering between self-love or private interest and the several particular appetites, passions, affections, or the pursuits they lead to.
