Wolff, Christian (1679-1754)

German philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who invented the terms ‘cosmology’ and ‘teleology’. He was science adviser to Peter the Great of Russia 1716-25.

Wolff worked in many fields, including theology, psychology, botany, and physics. His philosophy was influenced by Gottfried Leibniz and scholasticism. His numerous works include Vernunftige Gedanken von Gott, der Welt und der Seele der Menschen/Rational Ideas on God, the World and the Soul of Man 1720.

He was professor of mathematics at Halle 1707-23 and professor of mathematics and philosophy at Marburg 1723-40.