Jacob Moleschott | |
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Born | 9 August 1822 's-Hertogenbosch |
Died |
20 May 1893 (aged 70) Rome |
Nationality | Dutch |
Alma mater | University of Heidelberg |
Era | 19th century philosophy |
Region | Western Philosophy |
School | Continental materialism |
Main interests
|
Philosophy of science, political philosophy |
Influenced
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Jacob Moleschott (9 August 1822 – 20 May 1893) was a Dutch physiologist and writer on dietetics. He is known for his philosophical views in regards to "scientific materialism".
Born in 's-Hertogenbosch, Moleschott studied at the University of Heidelberg and began the practice of medicine at Utrecht in 1845, but soon moved back to Heidelberg University, where he lectured on physiology from 1847. Controversial statements made by him in his lectures led to his resignation after seven years. Afterwards, he was professor of physiology at Zürich (1856), at Turin (1861), and at Rome (1879), where he died.
Moleschott explained the origin and condition of animals by the working of physical causes. He was an atheist. His characteristic formulae were "no thought without phosphorus" and "the brain secretes thought as the liver secretes bile." His major works are: