François Hemsterhuis (27 December 1721 – 7 July 1790) was a Dutch writer on aesthetics and moral philosophy.
The son of Tiberius Hemsterhuis, he was born at Franeker in the Netherlands. He was educated at the University of Leiden, where he studied Plato. Failing to obtain a professorship, he entered the service of the state, and for many years acted as secretary to the state council of the United Provinces. He died at the Hague on 7 July 1790. Through his philosophical writings he became acquainted with many distinguished persons--Goethe, Herder, Princess Adelheid Amalie Gallitzin, and especially Jacobi, with whom he had much in common. His most valuable contributions are in the department of aesthetics or the general analysis of feeling. His philosophy has been characterized as Socratic in content and Platonic in form. Its foundation was the desire for self-knowledge and truth, untrammelled by the rigid bonds of any particular system.
His most important works, all of which were written in French, are:
Lettre sur la sculpture (1769), in which occurs the well-known definition of the Beautiful as "that which gives us the greatest number of ideas in the shortest space of time"
its continuation, Lettre sur les désirs (1770)
Lettre sur l'homme et ses rapports (1772), in which the "moral organ" and the theory of knowledge are discussed
Sophyle (1778), a dialogue on the relation between the soul and the body, and also an attack on materialism
Aristée (1779), the "theodicy" of Hemsterhuis, discussing the existence of God and his relation to man
Simon (1787), on the four faculties of the soul, which are the will, the imagination, the moral principle (which is both passive and active)
Alexis (1787), an attempt to prove that there are three golden ages, the last being the life beyond the grave
Lettre sur l'athéisme (1787).A good collected edition of his works is by PS Meijboom (1846-1850); see also SA Gronemann, F. Hemsterhuis, de Nederlandische Wijsgeer (Utrecht, 1867); E Grucker, François Hemsterhuis, sa vie et ses œuvres (Paris, 1866); E Meyer, Der Philosoph Franz Hemsterhuis (Breslau, 1893), with bibliographical notice; Augustinus P. Dierick, “Pre-Romantic Elements in the aesthetic and moral writings of François Hemsterhuis (1721-1790).” Studies in Eighteenth Century Culture 26 (1998), 247–271. A bilingual French-Dutch edition was published, introduced and commented on by Michael John Petry in 2001, titled Wijsgerige werken / Frans Hemsterhuis.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hemsterhuis, François". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 264–265.
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Some of their strengths
Frans Hemsterhuis has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Hardworking, Generous, Innovative, Intelligent, Loyal, and Brave.
Smart and Hardworking
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Frans Hemsterhuis is someone who is a smart, hardworking, reliable, and loyal person, who is detail-oriented and orderly, but also generous and optimistic. A person who is a bit of a "lone wolf".
Adventurous and Free
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Frans Hemsterhuis well know them as someone who can be talented, wayward and free, like a big river or the ocean.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Frans Hemsterhuis as someone who is altruistic, inventive, energetic, and socially-conscious.
Who is inventive, open-minded and inquisitive, optimistic and cooperative, and who loves working together with others.
Exacting and Achievement-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Frans Hemsterhuis is someone who has very high expectations for people, and who can be extremely focused on achieving goals and objectives.
They are also someone who is charismatic, compassionate, and understanding, and who is interested in expressing themselves through writing, public speaking, or teaching.
Patient and Perseverent
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Frans Hemsterhuis tends to be someone who is patient, faithful, hardworking and persistent, and who wants to achieve a lot in life. Who tends to be rather private when it comes to expressing feelings, enjoys being independent and self-sufficient, and who is not afraid of any obstacle.
Some of Frans Hemsterhuis's challenges
While Frans Hemsterhuis has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Frans Hemsterhuis can be Stubborn, Short-tempered, Suspicious, Impulsive, Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, and Anxious.
Suspicious and Stubborn
One of Frans Hemsterhuis's key challenges is that they are someone who can be suspicious and stubborn.
Anxious and Inflexible
Frans Hemsterhuis is someone who can be high-strung, impatient, and inflexible, who can be "penny wise and pound foolish", have poor listening skills, and who can be intolerant of people who share a different world view.
Callous and Stubborn
Finally, Frans Hemsterhuis also can come across as cold and unemotional, be too dismissive of others' opinions, and be overly suspicious, selfish and crafty.
