William Blake and Francis Hutcheson were two great thinkers from different eras. Blake, a Romantic poet and artist, explored imagination, spirituality, and rebellion against authority. Hutcheson, a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, shaped moral philosophy and aesthetics with rational and universal ideas.
Given their different periods—Hutcheson (1694–1746) lived before Blake (1757–1827)—many wonder: Did William Blake draw inspiration from Francis Hutcheson? Was there a philosophical or artistic link between them? This article will explore their ideas, key works, and whether Hutcheson’s moral sense theory influenced Blake.
Who Were William Blake and Francis Hutcheson?
William Blake (1757–1827): The Visionary Romantic
- Poet, painter, and printmaker from England
- Famous works: Songs of Innocence and Experience, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
- Advocated spirituality, imagination, and artistic freedom
- Opposed rationalism and institutional authority
- Influenced by mysticism, the Bible, and political radicalism
Francis Hutcheson (1694–1746): The Enlightenment Philosopher
- Irish philosopher known for his moral sense theory
- Key works: Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue, System of Moral Philosophy
- Believed in innate human goodness and universal moral order
- Major influence on Scottish Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume
- Focused on rational moral philosophy rather than mysticism
Despite their differences, both men reject strict rationalism and believe in something beyond logic—Blake through mysticism and Hutcheson through moral sense.
Did Blake and Hutcheson Share Similar Ideas?
Both men challenged the rigid rationalism of their times, but their views were different:
1. Morality and Human Nature
- Hutcheson: Argued that people have an innate moral sense guiding them toward good.
- Blake: Believed morality was complex, shaped by experience, and influenced by spiritual vision.
2. Art and Perception of Beauty
- Hutcheson: Beauty is based on universal harmony and order.
- Blake: Beauty is subjective, an expression of the imagination rather than universal principles.
3. Rejection of Rationalism
- Hutcheson: Opposed pure rationalism but still relied on structured philosophy.
- Blake: Rejected all forms of rationalist thought and embraced mystical creativity.
While their ideas occasionally overlapped, Blake’s vision was deeply mystical, while Hutcheson’s philosophy was grounded in ethics and reason.
Key Differences Between Blake and Hutcheson
The following table highlights the fundamental differences in their beliefs:
| Aspect | Francis Hutcheson | William Blake |
| Time Period | 1694–1746 (Enlightenment) | 1757–1827 (Romantic Era) |
| Main Focus | Moral philosophy, aesthetics | Poetry, art, and spirituality |
| View on Morality | Innate moral sense guides human goodness | Morality is shaped by experience and spiritual vision |
| View on Beauty | Beauty is universal and follows harmony | Beauty is subjective and personal |
| Approach to Rationalism | Opposed extreme rationalism but valued reason | Rejected rationalism completely |
| Influences | Locke, Shaftesbury, classical ethics | Mysticism, the Bible, political radicalism |
This contrast shows why Hutcheson was unlikely to influence Blake majorly.
Debunking Misconceptions: Did Blake Read Hutcheson?
There is no historical evidence that Blake read Hutcheson’s works. However, some argue that:
- Hutcheson influenced Enlightenment thinkers who later shaped the intellectual climate of Blake’s era.
- Blake may have indirectly encountered Hutcheson’s ideas through philosophical discussions in London.
- Both men opposed rigid rationalism, but Blake’s ideas were more mystical.
Despite these connections, Blake’s primary influences were visionary mystics like Emanuel Swedenborg and poets like John Milton.
Comparing the Key Works of Blake and Hutcheson
Let’s examine two of their significant works to see if any direct influence exists.
1. Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell vs. Hutcheson’s Inquiry into Beauty and Virtue
- Hutcheson: Argued that virtue and beauty are universal truths accessible through moral sense.
- Blake: Rejected the idea of universal morality, showing good and evil as intertwined forces.
- Conclusion: Blake’s work directly contradicts Hutcheson’s ideas.
2. Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience vs. Hutcheson’s Moral Sense Theory
- Hutcheson: People are naturally good, guided by an innate sense of right and wrong.
- Blake: People experience both innocence and corruption, making morality complex.
- Conclusion: Blake challenged Hutcheson’s optimistic view of human nature.
These comparisons show that Blake’s work was more rebellious and subjective, while Hutcheson sought universal moral order.
Conclusion
After examining their works and ideas, the answer is no—Blake was not inspired by Hutcheson. While they shared some opposition to rigid rationalism, their core beliefs were vastly different:
- Hutcheson focused on moral sense and universal order.
- Blake emphasized mysticism, imagination, and rebellion against structure.
Blake’s true influences were mystics and radical thinkers, not Enlightenment philosophers. While they existed in overlapping intellectual worlds, their philosophies were fundamentally opposed.
FAQs
Blake may have rejected Hutcheson’s moral philosophy as too rational.
Both opposed pure rationalism and valued human perception.
Yes, Blake emphasized individual vision, while Hutcheson believed in the universal moral sense.
