Lady Damaris Masham, liberty, reason and the love of God

Damaris Cudworth Masham was convinced that the "useful knowledge" has a theoret-ical, practical and pedagogic content. Man has a social destiny and we cannot offend the divine wisdom assuming that religion precludes this approach and expects the break-down of society. Reason therefore has a prominent character on the will and free will is the pillar of moral practice. This thought reveals an affinity with the Lockean concept of "person" and "identity" and the central role of individual liberty for love of God and for an ordered and social life. Thanks also to her intellectual relationship with Locke, her "philosophical salon" at Oates become the meeting point for overseas and English scholars, such as Jean Le Clerc, Pierre Des Maizeaux, Pierre Coste, the III Earl of Shaftesbury. Through original sources the paper focus the intellectual legacy of Damaris Masham.