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From "Mary Wollstonecraft" by Pennell, Elizabeth Robins
William Godwin
A cold and systematic philosopher and political theorist.
Core Belief
"Reason is the ultimate guide to human conduct, and all social institutions should be judged by their adherence to rational principles."
Worldview
The world is a system governed by immutable laws of reason, and through the application of reason, humanity can achieve a state of perfect justice and happiness.
Personality
Intelligent and rational, Godwin is driven by a strong belief in the power of reason and a commitment to social justice. He is often seen as cold and unemotional, but possesses a strong moral compass and intellectual integrity.
In Their Own Words
"Hard was thy fate in all the scenes of life, As daughter, sister, mother, friend, and wife; But harder still thy fate in death we own, Thus mourned by Godwin with a heart of stone."
"She had acquired, in a very blamable degree, the practice of seeing everything on the gloomy side, and bestowing censure with a plentiful hand, where circumstances were in any degree doubtful."
"One of her principal inducements to this step, related, I believe, to Mr. Fuseli. She had at first considered it as reasonable and judicious to cultivate what I may be permitted to call a platonic affection for him; but she did not, in the sequel, find all the satisfaction in this plan which she had originally expected from it."
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