Ralph Cudworth (1617–1688) was an English philosopher and theologian, known for his role in the Cambridge Platonist movement. He emphasized the importance of reason and morality, arguing that human beings possess an innate understanding of good and evil. His most notable work, *The True Intellectual System of the Universe*, critiques atheism and defends the existence of God. Cudworth was also a prominent figure in the development of ideas about free will and the nature of the soul. He taught at Cambridge University, where he influenced many students and contributed to the intellectual landscape of the 17th century. His ideas laid groundwork for later philosophical discussions.