FRANÇOIS QUESNAY: BIOGRAPHY, THOUGHTS, CONTRIBUTIONS, WORKS - BIOGRAPHIES - 2025

François Quesnay (1694-1774) was a renowned French physician. Throughout his career he was interested in the progress of the nation, which is why he focused on the economic field. Its objective was to establish a commercial treaty that would help the inhabitants understand their role in society.

Quesnay stated that only landowners and farmers contributed to the development of the country. Its purpose was for the producing classes to understand the laws set forth by God and apply them in reality, since they were the only ones that guaranteed prosperity. Therefore, the purpose of this doctor was to develop a manual about the natural order that state institutions should follow.

François Quesnay. Source: François Wellcome (public domain)

To write his work on economics he focused on the structure of the immune system. He stated that the State functioned the same as the human organism, since if a muscle did not work properly it would affect all tissues. The same thing happened with the town's associations: if one of them projected an inappropriate policy, the others would end up being infected.

This approach shows that this economist tried to unify two different fields of study: health and administration. Despite the fact that his theory was not considered ideal, it had great relevance. This was because it laid the groundwork for Adam Smith's philosophy of liberal capital to emerge.

Besides, Karl Marx took up the concepts presented by Quesnay to criticize capitalism and justify his communist hypothesis.

Biography

Early years

François Quesnay was born on June 4, 1694 in the town of Merey, located in the Upper Normandy region of France. He was the son of Nicolás Quesnay, who had the titles of landowner and lawyer. One of his father's jobs was to receive taxes on behalf of the church, a job that allowed him to maintain a high social position.

From an early age, François was passionate about expanding his knowledge, which is why he constantly turned to reading. According to historians, one of his first teachers was his home gardener. Thanks to him, he learned about the texts of Jean Liébault and Charles Estienne. Authors who would show him the advantages of the agrarian world and anatomy.

In 1711 he decided to become a surgeon, so he left for Ecquevilly in order to ask the doctor of that municipality to instruct him. Months later he moved to Paris where he began to study medicine. In 1717 he married Jeanne Dauphin, from that relationship two children were born. In 1718 he obtained the diploma of master surgeon.

Instantly he settled in Mantes. In that territory he dedicated himself to caring for sick people. From that moment he was acquiring a positive reputation, so much so that Jeanne Antoinette Poisson asked him to be her doctor. Due to that request, in 1723 he was appointed royal surgeon. His office was to attend to the members of the monarchy.

Trajectory

Quesnay's prestige increased in the mid 1730s; but his fame increased when in 1736 he published Physical Essay on Animal Economy, a work that led him in 1737 to join the Academy of Surgery as secretary. In 1744 he obtained a degree in medicine and was awarded the designation of private doctor of Louis XV.

Being close to the monarch allowed him to gain his trust. For this reason, he was soon promoted to consulting physician and placed in the Palace of Versailles. In 1752, the king baptized him squire of the court and gave him various lands in order to distinguish his honor. Besides, he was associated with the Academy of Sciences. In 1753 he was recognized as a man of the Royal Society.

After touring their territories, François worried about the production process. It was in this period that his interest in economics was renewed. With the purpose of exchanging opinions and understanding the different illustrative approaches, he became involved with the intellectuals of the time, such as Jean le Rond d'Alembert, Denis Diderot, Georges Leclerc and Étienne de Condillac.

Intellectual life

Sharing with the encyclopedists was fundamental for Quesnay as it broadened his perception of the world. He verified that reason was the center of reality, that the monarchy should not have absolute power and less focusing on the word of God. He understood that an impartial government had to create various bodies to distribute power.

Likewise, he perceived that people were developing numerous agricultural instruments, which were more efficient and profitable. Following these aspects, François focused on studying the socioeconomic manifestations that were transforming the country. He also wrote the articles Farmers (1756), Seeds (1757) and Men (1757) for the magazine Enciclopedia.

In addition, he met with Vincent de Gournay and visited the school he had opened, where he met Anne Robert Turgot, who would become one of his most important disciples. In the middle of 1757 he met Victor Riquetti. Friendship with these researchers was essential because they helped Quesnay build the Physiocratic doctrine.

Last years

After founding his school, François dedicated himself to writing to spread his theory. In 1763 he participated in the creation of Riquetti's work Rural Philosophy, as he wrote the seventh chapter. In the course of 1760, he assumed the role of tutor and taught administrative analysis to André Morellet, Nicolás Baudeau, and Guillaume Le Trosne.

At the beginning of 1770 he was honored by Adam Smith, an author who appreciated his scientific reflections. During this stage, Quesnay distanced himself from the economic field and carried out mathematical work. He died on December 16, 1774.

Quesnay. Source:

Economic thinking

Quesnay's objective was to oppose the mercantilist system and state regulations that limited the right to buy and sell. He considered that the industrial and commercial area did not generate the necessary income for the development of society. Therefore, the only source of wealth and value was land.

Through agrarian work, the State could pay off debts and restructure public spaces. This was because he had a percentage of the harvested produce left, which provided 5 billion francs. 3,000 were for the farmers and 2,000 for the owners. Each group invested 1,000 in its day-to-day purchases.

This was how artisans earned 2,000 francs which they used to pay landowners and producers. So, the purpose was that the net product (capital obtained) was greater than the expenditure. In this way, it was possible to reinvest in new seeds, growing material and personal property.

However, for this economic process to take place it was essential that the nation abolish the laws of interference: liberate the market, extend the scope of supply and demand, reduce or eliminate taxes, and secure individual properties. François's thinking was characterized by being capitalist and only exercised by elite people.

Other contributions

The theory put forward by Quesnay was fundamental for metaphysicians, because it established that the world was governed by a set of parameters that were perceptible but not modifiable. Those codes were those that organized the physical elements and guided men.

His hypothesis was also very important in the field of law, as he argued that the assets should be inherited. Economic resources and properties had to be passed from generation to generation in order for them to remain stable.

In addition, he proposed that the salary of workers be higher. The aim was to increase the consumption of agricultural products. That is why he expressed that people were free to decide on their actions, an issue that has been essential for sociologists.

Regarding his contribution in the area of ​​medicine, this doctor focused on fragmenting the vision that individuals had about the composition and functioning of the immune system. He tried to show that on certain occasions the body could recover without the need for medications, which affected the balance of the muscles.

Plays

Quesnay's writings stood out for portraying a new method of study. This was because he explained that economics was a natural science, since to understand it, several laws had to be analyzed. Likewise, he described the proper technique to grow the seeds. He stated that a prosperous country ensured the well-being of the population.

Finally, he announced that agriculture was the only means that would make the industrial and commercial sphere evolve. In some way, the aim of this economist was to proclaim administrative democracy; but it is convenient to emphasize that his thesis conformed to enlightened despotism.

That is to say, it excluded the inhabitants who had no education or assets. That is how it is perceived in his works, which are entitled:

- Taxes (1757).

- Interest (1757).

- General maxims of the economic government of an agricultural kingdom (1758).

- Natural law (1765).

- Commerce (1766).

- Despotism in China (1767).

Economic picture (1758)

This text showed what were the institutional elements that limited the development of the nation. He explained how the three social classes (farmers, landowners and merchants / artisans) were linked to the productive sectors.

The main idea of ​​this book was to show the relationship between progress factors and state associations. He expressed that the growth of the economy depended on the work done by the farmers.

References

1. Barber, J. (2010). Quesnay economic history. Retrieved on December 28, 2019 from Faculty of Economics: econ.cam.ac.uk
2. Comín, F. (2006). The revolution of physiocracy. Retrieved on December 27, 2019 from the Complutense University of Madrid: ucm.es
3. Domínguez, M. (2004). The role of physiocracy in our days. Retrieved on December 26, 2019 from the University of Santiago de Compostela: usc.es
4. Goldberg, W. (2005). François Quesnay, between the economy and nature. Retrieved on December 26, 2019 from Princeton University Press: press.princeton.edu
5. Maragall, P. (2003). Quesnay and the classical political economy. Retrieved on December 27, 2019 from New York University: nyu.edu
6. Kooiman, C. (2012). Quesnay ¢ s theory and the production system. Retrieved on December 28, 2019 from the Department of Economics: economics.harvard.edu
7. Vicent, S. (2009). About François Quesnay. Retrieved on December 26, 2019 from Revista Económica: revistaeconómica.com
8. Viñas, A. (2001). Quesnay: The economic table as an administrative analysis instrument. Retrieved on December 26, 2019 from the National Academy of Economic Sciences: ancevenezuela.org.ve