The Philosophy of the Moral Feelings — John Abercrombie
You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org . If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title : The Philosophy of the Moral Feelings Author : John Abercrombie Release date : August 21, 2007 [eBook #22364] Language : English Other information and formats : www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22364 Credits : Produced by Thierry Alberto, Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net *** START OF 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. PREFACE. In a former work, the Author endeavoured to delineate, in a simple and popular form, the leading facts relating 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; and his object in it is to investigate, in the same unpretending manner, the Moral Feelings of the Human Mind, and the principles which ought to regulate our volitions and our conduct as moral and responsible beings. The two branches 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 at length, with the evidence by which they are supported. In presenting a fifth edition of this volume, the Author feels most deeply the favourable manner in which it has been received, and the notice which has been bestowed upon it by those whose approbation he regards as a distinction of the most gratifying kind. He had two objects chiefly in view when he ventured upon this investigation. The one was to divest his inquiry of all unprofitable speculation, and to shew that the philosophy of the moral feelings bears directly upon a practical purpose of the highest moment,—the mental and moral culture of every rational being. The other was to shew the close and important relation which exists between this science and the doctrines of revealed religion, and the powerful evidence which is derived, for the 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, and seriously prosecutes the important question,—what is truth. If we attempt to erect the philosophy of morals into an independent science, we shall soon find that its highest inductions only lead us to a point beyond which we are condemned to wander in doubt and in darkness. But, on the other hand, by depreciating philosophy, or the light which is derived from the moral impressions of the mind, we deprive ourselves of a most important source of evidence in support of revelation. For it is from these impressions, viewed in connexion 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 and incontrovertible evidence, by which revelation comes to the candid inquirer with all the authority of truth. Edinburgh , November 1838. CONTENTS. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. SECTION I. NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENCE OF THE MORAL 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 light of Conscience, and of Divine Revelation 7 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 11 Classification of First Truths in Moral Science, as impressions arising out of each other, by an obvious chain of relations 16 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. 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 PHILOSOPHY OF THE MORAL FEELINGS. Analysis of Man as a Moral Being 27 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 . PART I. THE DESIRES—THE AFFECTIONS—AND SELF-LOVE. SECTION I. THE DESIRES 36 1. Desire of the Animal Propensities 37 2. Desire of Wealth—Avarice 38 3. Desire of Power—Ambition 39 4. Desire of Superiority—Emulation 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 AFFECTIONS 53 I. Justice 55 1. Justice to the Interests of others—Integrity 59 2. Justice to the Freedom of Action of others 59 3. Justice to the Reputation of others 60 4. Justice in estimating the Conduct and Character of others 61 5. Justice to the Opinions of others—Candour 62 6. Justice to the Feelings of others 63 7. Justice to the Moral Condition of others 64 II. Compassion and Benevolence 66 1. Benevolence towards the Distresses of others 69 2. Benevolence towards the Reputation of others 70 3. Benevolence towards the Character and Conduct of others,—including Forgiveness of