Bernard Mandeville
The man the Foundation takes its name from, Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733), was raised in Rotterdam. After settling in London he made his name as a committed thinker. His best known publication is The Fable of the Bees, a political satire in verse. In this work Mandeville denounced the idea of 'amicable' idealism and thus became the pioneer of utilitarianism.Mandeville's thinking essentially proclaims that people by nature are not good, but rather greedy and selfish. Man’s presumed 'loftiness', Mandeville says, is just an invention of philosophers and rulers. It is through his very vices, however, that man achieves great things. Although aimed at his own interest, his deeds will lead to social progress. It is from this ironic paradox that Mandeville earned his reputation.
