CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

SECTION I.

NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENCE OF THE MORAL FEEL-

INGS.

Division of the Mental Powers into Intellectual and Moral. 27

Harmony which ought to exist between these classes

Causes by which this harmony is interrupted, and means of

counteracting them

Interest of the Science of the Moral Feelings.

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29

30

32

Peculiar sources of Knowledge bearing upon it, from the
light of Conscience, and of Divine Revelation

SECTION II.

FIRST TRUTHS IN THE SCIENCE OF THE MORAL FEelings.

Analogy between First Truths, or Intuitive Principles of

Belief, in Intellectual, and in Moral Science

Classification of First Truths in Moral Science, as impres-

sions arising out of each other, by an obvious chain of re-

lations.

1. Perception of the nature and quality of actions, as

just or unjust, right or wrong; and a conviction of

duties which a man owes to other men.

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40

2. Conviction of the existence and attributes of a

Great First Cause, and Moral Governor.

3. Conviction of Moral Responsibility.

4. Impression of Future Existence.

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41

41

Importance of these convictions, as intuitive articles of belief 42

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE MORAL FEELINGS.

Analysis of Man as a Moral Being

I. The Desires, THE AFFECTIONS, and SELF-LOVE.

II. THE WILL.

III. THE MORAL PRINCIPLE, or CONSCIENCE.

IV. THE MORAL RELATION OF MAN TOWARDS THE

DEITY.

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54

54

55

55

PART I.

THE DESIRES, THE AFFECTIONS, AND SELF-LOVE.

I. JUSTICE

1. Justice to the Interests of others-Integrity

2 Justice to the Freedom of Action of others

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CONTENTS.

3. Justice to the Reputation of others

4. Justice in estimating the Conduct and Character of

others.

5. Justice to the Opinions of others-Candor

6. Justice to the Feelings of others

7. Justice to the Moral Condition of others

II. COMPASSION AND BENEVOLENCE

1. Benevolence towards the Distresses of others

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2. Benevolence towards the Reputation of others

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3. Benevolence towards the Character and Conduct of

others, including Forgiveness of Injuries

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4. Benevolence towards the Feelings of others

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98

5. Benevolence towards improving the Moral Condition

of others.

III. VERACITY.

1. The Love of Truth, in the Reception of it

2. Veracity in delivering statements, including Sincerity 90

3. Truth of Purpose, or Correct Fulfilment of Promises

IV. FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND GRATITUDE

VII. THE DEFENSIVE AFFECTIONS, ANGER, JEALOUSY, RE-

SENTMENT

Important Influence produced upon the Exercise of the Affec

tions,

By Attention

By Habit

Feeling of Moral Approbation attached to the Exercise of the

Affections.

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104

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Happiness arising from a due Exercise of the Affections;-

Influence of Temper

Sense in which the term is employed

Tendency of a True and Rational Self-love

Morbid Exercise of it,-Selfishness

Disinterested Conduct and Self-denial

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115

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120

PART II.

OF THE WILL.

Simple Volition,-its Origin from one of the Desires or Af-

fections

Operation of Moral Causes on the Will

Nature of these Causes and Source of the Diversity of their

Operation in Different Individuals

Circumstances required for the Uniformity of their Opera-

tion:

1. Knowledge

Truths of Natural and Revealed Religion."

2. Attention

Its influence on Moral Decisions.

3. Moral Habits

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136

Origin and Progress of Derangement of Moral

Harmony.

Influence of Habits upon Character

Means of Correcting Injurious Moral Habits

Practical Conclusions from these Principles. Important In-

fluence of Moral Habits

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146

141

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Necessity and Probability of Divine Aid in Correcting Moral

Derangement

Influence of the Mental Operation called Faith

PART III.

OF THE MORAL PRINCIPLE, OR CONSCIENCE.

Proofs of the Existence of Conscience as a Distinct Principle

of the Mind

Nature of its Operation as the Regulating Principle

Analogy between it and Reason

Its Influence in conveying an Impression of the Moral Attri

butes of the Deity

Knowledge derived from this Source

Comparison of the Divine Attributes with the Actual State

of Man.

Difficulties arising from this Comparison removed only by

the Christian Revelation

Mental process by which the Regulating Power of Conscience

is Impaired or Lost

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afluence of this Condition upon the Judgment in regard to

Moral Truth

Influence of Attention in Moral Decisions

Man's Responsibility for his Belief

Important relation between Moral Emotions and vo-
luntary Intellectual Processes

APPENDIX TO PART III.

1. OF THE ORIGIN AND IMMUTABILITY OF MORAL DIS-

TINCTIONS AND THEORIES OF MORALS

Origin of our Idea of Virtue and Vice

System of Mandeville

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168

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171

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180

of Clarke and Wollaston

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System of Utility

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Selfisn System

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System of Paley

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188

Defect of these Systems in not acknowledging the

Supreme Authority of Conscience

Objections to the belief of a uniformity of Moral Feel-

ing which have been founded on the practices of
barbarous nations

System of Dr. Smith, or Theory of Sympathy
Province of Reason in Moral Decisions

Remarks on the Observations of some late writers
respecting the Corruption of Conscience

Consistency of Character arising from this Harmony,

-and Defects of Character to which it is opposed

View of the Divine Character in reference to this Relation 216

Regulation of Moral Feelings which ought to arise out of

it;-

1. Habitual effort to cultivate a Sense of the Divine

Presence, and to regulate the Moral Feelings and

Character by it

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217

2. Submission to the Appointments of Providence 222

.