Francis Hutcheson (philosopher)

Francis Hutcheson (1694–1746) was a prominent Scottish philosopher and one of the key figures in the Scottish Enlightenment. He is best known for his contributions to moral philosophy, aesthetics, and the philosophy of mind. Hutcheson is often regarded as a precursor to later ethical theories, particularly those associated with utilitarianism, although his views are distinct from those of later utilitarians like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.