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hedonism

(Encyclopedia)hedonism hēˈdənĭzˌəm [key] [Gr.,=pleasure], the doctrine that holds that pleasure is the highest good. Ancient hedonism expressed itself in two ways: the cruder form was that proposed by Aristip...

Fukuda, Takeo

(Encyclopedia)Fukuda, Takeo, 1905–95, Japanese politician, b. Gunma prefecture, prime minister of Japan (1976–78). Born into a wealthy farming family, he studied law at Tokyo Imperial Univ. (grad. 1929). After ...

Sidgwick, Henry

(Encyclopedia)Sidgwick, Henry sĭjˈwĭk [key], 1838–1900, English philosopher. He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and taught moral philosophy there from 1869 until 1900. The basis of his thought was Briti...

Pater, Walter Horatio

(Encyclopedia)Pater, Walter Horatio pāˈtər [key], 1839–94, English essayist and critic. In 1864 he was elected a fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford, and he subsequently led an austere and uneventful life. An ...

Sancroft, William

(Encyclopedia)Sancroft, William săngˈkrôft [key], 1617–93, English prelate, archbishop of Canterbury. His opposition to Calvinist doctrine caused him to remain abroad during the latter part of the Commonwealth...

United Methodist Church

(Encyclopedia)United Methodist Church, religious body formed by the union in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church (see Methodism), with churches in the United States, Africa, and ...

Warburton, William

(Encyclopedia)Warburton, William, 1698–1779, English bishop and author. Ordained in 1727 and serving successively in several rectories, he became chaplain to Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, in 1738, preacher to...

Bellarmine, Saint Robert

(Encyclopedia)Bellarmine, Saint Robert bĕlärˈmĭn [key], 1542–1621, Italian theologian, cardinal, Doctor of the Church, and a principal influence in the Counter Reformation. His full name was Roberto Francesco...

Lollardry

(Encyclopedia)Lollardry lŏlˈyo͝ordrē [key] or Lollardy, medieval English movement for ecclesiastical reform, led by John Wyclif, whose “poor priests” spread his ideas about the countryside in the late 14th ...

free will

(Encyclopedia)free will, in philosophy, the doctrine that an individual, regardless of forces external to him, can and does choose at least some of his actions. The existence of free will is challenged by determini...