BERNARD MANDEVILLE – (1670 – 1733) Dutch philosopher, political economist and satirist.

     Although born in the Netherlands, Mandeville lived as an adult in England and wrote most of his works in English. In his time, he was most known (and sharply criticised) for his book, The Fable of the Bees. a political satire on the state of England in 1705. Essentially, Mandeville called for politicians to ensure that the passions of man would result in a public benefit. It was his stated belief in The Fable that "Private Vices by the dextrous Management of a skilful Politician may be turned into Publick Benefits”

• Secular and Epicurean, he was an outspoken Whig in English Court after the Glorious revolution. Contemporary of Marleborough, Harley, Louis XIV.
• His main notion – “Private vices make public benefits”: The tension between Judeo-Christian and classical culture and modern commercial/secular society.