Cambridge Platonists

The Cambridge Platonists were a group of 17th-century English philosophers and theologians based at the University of Cambridge. They sought to harmonize Christian faith with the ideas of classical philosophy, especially Plato, emphasizing reason, moral virtue, and the pursuit of truth. They believed that human reason could lead to spiritual understanding and moral improvement, advocating for tolerance and intellectual openness. Their work influenced religious thought, emphasizing the importance of heartfelt faith combined with rational inquiry, and they played a key role in shaping modern ideas about ethics, religious tolerance, and the relationship between faith and reason.