THEPHILOSOPHYOF THEMORAL FEELINGS.
BY
JOHN ABERCROMBIE, M.D. Oxon. & Edin.
V. P. R. S. E.
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF EDINBURGH;MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE OF FRANCE;AND FIRST PHYSICIAN TO HER MAJESTY IN SCOTLAND.
FIFTH EDITION.LONDON:JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.MDCCCXXXIX.EDINBURGH:Printed by Balfour and Jack, Niddry Street.[Pg iii]
PREFACE.
In a former work, the Author endeavoured to delineate, in a simple and popular form, the leading factsrelating to the Intellectual Powers, and to trace the principles which ought to guide us in the Investigation of Truth. The volume which he now offers to the public attention, is intended as a sequel to these Inquiries; andhis object in it is to investigate, in the same unpretending manner, the Moral Feelings of the Human Mind, andthe principles which ought to regulate our volitions and our conduct as moral and responsible beings. The twobranches of investigation are, in many respects, closely connected; and, on this account, it may often happen,that, in the present work, principles are assumed as admitted or proved, which, in the former, were stated atlength, with the evidence by which they are supported.[Pg iv]In presenting a fifth edition of this volume, the Author feels most deeply the favourable manner in which ithas been received, and the notice which has been bestowed upon it by those whose approbation he regards asa distinction of the most gratifying kind. He had two objects chiefly in view when he ventured upon thisinvestigation. The one was to divest his inquiry of all unprofitable speculation, and to shew that thephilosophy of the moral feelings bears directly upon a practical purpose of the highest moment,—the mentaland moral culture of every rational being. The other was to shew the close and important relation which existsTHE PHILOSOPHY OF THE MORAL FEELINGS.1
between this science and the doctrines of revealed religion, and the powerful evidence which is derived, forthe truth of both, from the manner in which they confirm and illustrate each other. These two sources of knowledge cannot be separated, in the estimation of any one who feels the deep interest of the inquiry, andseriously prosecutes the important question,what is truth. If we attempt to erect the philosophy of moralsinto an independent science, we shall soon find that its highest inductions only lead us to a point beyond[Pg v]which we are condemned to wander in doubt and in darkness. But, on the other hand, by depreciatingphilosophy, or the light which is derived from the moral impressions of the mind, we deprive ourselves of amost important source of evidence in support of revelation. For it is from these impressions, viewed inconnexion with the actual state of man, that we learn the necessity, and the moral probability, of a revelation;and it is by principles existing in the mind that we are enabled to feel the power of that varied andincontrovertible evidence, by which revelation comes to the candid inquirer with all the authority of truth.Edinburgh,
November 1838.
[Pg vi]
CONTENTS.
[Pg vii]
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
SECTION I.NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENCE OF THEMORAL FEELINGS.
Division of the Mental Powers into Intellectual and Moral
1
Harmony which ought to exist between these classes
3
Causes by which this harmony is interrupted,and means of counteracting them
3
Interest of the science of the Moral Feelings
5
Peculiar sources of Knowledge bearing upon it, from the[Pg viii]light of Conscience, and of DivineRevelation
7
SECTION II.FIRST TRUTHS IN THE SCIENCE OF THE MORALFEELINGS.
Analogy between First Truths, or Intuitive Principles of Belief, in Intellectual, and in MoralScience
11
Classification of First Truths in Moral Science, as impressions arising out of each other, by anobvious chain of relations
16
1. Perception of the nature and quality of actions, as just or unjust,rightor wrong;and a conviction of duties which a man owes to other men. The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Philosophy of Moral Feelings, by John Abercrombie.PREFACE.2
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.Importance of these convictions, as intuitive articles of belief
18
THE PHILOSOPHYOF THE MORAL FEELINGS.
Analysis of Man as a Moral Being
27
I.The DesiresThe Affectionsand Self-love.II.The Will.III.The Moral Principle, or Conscience.IV.The Moral relation of Man Towards the Deity.[Pg ix]
PART I.
THE DESIRES—THE AFFECTIONSAND SELF-LOVE.SECTION I.
THE DESIRES36
1. Desire of the Animal Propensities
37
2. Desire of WealthAvarice
38
3. Desire of PowerAmbition
39
4. Desire of SuperiorityEmulation
40
5. Desire of Society
41
6. Desire of Esteem or Approbation
42
7. Desire of Knowledge
46
8. Desire of Moral Improvement
47
Desire of Action
49
Importance of a Due Regulation of the Desires
50
SECTION II.
THE AFFECTIONS53
I. Justice
55
1. Justice to the Interests of othersIntegrity
59
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Philosophy of Moral Feelings, by John Abercrombie.FIRST TRUTHS IN THE SCIENCE OF THE MORALFEELINGS.3
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