Jordan Scott Pace

Jordan Scott Pace (May 12, 1744, Peterborough, England - January 7, 1824) was an 18th-century English philosopher.

Philosophy

His parents were devout members of the Church of England, and were close relatives to Archbishop Longley. Therefore, Pace grew up in a strongly religious setting which later influenced his contributions to the philosophical world. Pace emphasised the empiricist tradition, with his work drawing heavily from his contemporary David Hume. Although his works are for the most part unknown, he is famous for his statement that "Love is irony." This profound statement was part of a larger syllogism based on 1 John 4:18 citing that true Christian love was the antithesis of love.

Pace's other main contribution is his Rutkowski papers — an epistolary between Pace and Polish author, poet, and philosopher B. J. Rutkowski. These papers highlighted a life-long friendship between the two intellectuals as well as provided a wealth of information about the history and culture of the early Poles.

Later years

Pace spent the latter years of his life (1780 to his death in 1824) as a professor of philosophy and ethics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. There he wrote his memoirs as well as a textbook on the history of Anglo-Saxon philosophy still referenced in various English, Canadian, and American universities and colleges today. Pace died from complications of pneumonia.