Fundamental ideas are not a consequence of experience, but a result of the particular constitution and activity of the mind, which is independent of all experience in its origin, though constantly combined with experience in its exercise.

(1852) Lectures on the history of Moral Philosophy. He was Second Wrangler in 1816 President of the Cambridge Union Society in 1817 became fellow and tutor of his college and in 1841 succeeded Dr Christopher Wordsworth as master. (1857) Spedding's complete edition of the works of Bacon.

William Whewell FRS FGS (pron. : /ˈhjuːəl/ HEW-əl; 24 May 1794 – 6 March 1866) was an English polymath scientist Anglican priest philosopher theologian and historian of science. He was Master of Trinity College Cambridge.