Susanna Newcome Explained

Susanna Newcome (; 1685–1763) was an English philosopher, theologian, and Christian apologist. She was born in the village of Durnford, Wiltshire, where her father was the vicar.[1] She spent most of her adult life in Cambridge with her husband John Newcome, a professor and university administrator at St John's College, Cambridge. Her most notable work is An Enquiry into the Evidence of the Christian Religion, first published in 1728.[1] [2] In the Enquiry, she offers a Cosmological argument for the existence of God, in particular in defence of the Christian religion. Her life and significance to Christian apologetics has been explored in a biography, No Apologies (2020), by Sarah R. Enterline.[3]

Her philosophical work can arguably be seen as an early example of Utilitarianism, as defended by Patrick Connolly.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Susanna Newcome . 2022-07-31 . Utilitarianism.net . en-US.
  2. Connolly . Patrick J. . 2019-07-04 . Susanna Newcome's cosmological argument . British Journal for the History of Philosophy . 27 . 4 . 842–859 . 10.1080/09608788.2018.1494543 . 149534019 . 0960-8788.
  3. Web site: No Apologies: The Life and Work of Susanna Newcome . 2022-07-31 . noapologiesbook.com . en-US.
  4. Connolly . Patrick J. . Susanna Newcome and the Origins of Utilitarianism . Utilitas . 2021 . 33 . 4 . 384–398 . 10.1017/s0953820821000108. 234832773 .