Was Jędrzej Śniadecki a materialist

Abstract

The article presents the philosophical views of Jędrzej Śniadecki (1768–1838) – one of the greatest Polish chemists and biologists of the first half of the 19th century. In the literature on the subject, there are significant differences in the assessment of these views, especially in regard to the question whether Jędrzej Śniadecki was a materialist. Answering it, not only am I presenting the views of other authors in this matter, but I am also trying to explain the sources of existing discrepancies. Next, I am specifying the concept of materialism, claiming that the argument about the materialist character of Jędrzej Śniadecki’s views is well-justified. I am also trying to point out the sources of these views. At last, I am arguing that Jędrzej Śniadecki used to build his materialistic outlook on philosophical works of Joseph Priestley (1733–1804).