Philosopher's Tower – Wimborne Saint Giles, England - Atlas Obscura
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Philosopher's Tower

Wimborne Saint Giles, England

A small tower where a philosopher once speculated on human nature and morality. 

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Philosopher's Tower Amy Hoang Anh Johnson (Creative Commons)
Philosopher's Tower Amy Hoang Anh Johnson (Creative Commons)
Philosopher's Tower Amy Hoang Anh Johnson (Creative Commons)
View of the Tower from afar. Chris Downer, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Overlooking the serene countryside of Wimborne Saint Giles, the Philosopher’s Tower was built around 1700 by Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury. Cooper was a renowned philosopher whose beliefs centered on the innate human capacity to discern order and harmony, guiding moral judgments and aesthetic appreciation. He constructed the Tower as a sanctuary for his philosophical musings.

Within the confines of the Philosopher’s Tower, Cooper wrote on human nature and morality, advocating for rational inquiry and religious tolerance. He aimed to enlighten society and foster a deeper understanding of the human condition.

The Philosopher’s Tower is a small building with three rectangular windows on each side, a crest, and two doors. The main door leads inside, while the second opens to a shallow basement.

Know Before You Go

The Tower is on private property, but can be viewed from afar by stopping alongside the B3078 roadway.

follies philosophy buildings towers
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