On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
ledge consists of an acquaintance with phenomena , and of the relation of th ^ j ^ npHj ^ j ^^ ea ^ H other . In regard to aay in any branch of phWcs ^ Jot example , a certain RUmber of phenomena are found to belong to fj $ t ^ jticjpiajc . subject : these phejBpmena have a certain relation to each ol ^ eW ^^^ § y efee ^^ a ^ h other ,, \ fqsi _ instance , in a certain order : some invanaMy precede , others invariably follow : the invariable antecedent being
termed the cause , the invariable sequent the effect ,. This relation is found nevertp be mterrupted ; certain antecedents are always followed by certain sequents : certain sequents are always preceded by certain antecedents .. An acquaintance with , the aggregate phenomena : an acquaintance with , the relation of these phenomena as antecedents and as sequents , constitutes the knowledge of any branch of physical science .
It is precisely the same in moral science * In this , also , at least in regard to all the great and important questions , the phenomena are as well ascertained , and the relations between them , as antecedents and sequents , are as fixed and invariable , as in any department of physics . Certain actions are productive of pleasure : certain others are productive of pain : the quality of producing pleasure or pain is observed to be certain , invariable , universal .
To be perfectly acquainted with all the results of an action : to be perfectly acquainted with the property of these results to produce pleasure or pain * is to have a perfect knowledge of the . moral nature of that action * And thus to know that the relation between any particular course of conduct and bap * piness or misery , is as certain and inevitable as the operation of any physical law— -that of gravitation , for example ^—if not virtue itself , must be attended with such an immediate and strong perception of the desirableness of virtue as can scarcel y fail to secure it . - But it is impossible at present to enter into the requisite illustration of this very important subject * Theimme *
diate object we have in view may be more shortly obtained by appealing to matter of fact * It is a result , be it accounted for as it may , of the truth of which every one willbe more and more convinced the more carefully he reflects upon the character and conduct of his acquaintance , that in general men are observant of moral obligation in proportion as they are endowed with a sound understandings and as that understanding has been judiciously and highly cultivated . This is obviously true , and is generally admitted in
extreme cases . The highest intellectual endowments are uniformly found in combinat ' rOTi with the greatest rectitude of mind : in all ages and countries the profouhdestphilosophers have been as illustrious for their virtues as for their talents , This has probably arisen from two causes ; first , from the ; strength of their perception of moral relations ; and , secondly , from the ten-, dency of intellectual pursuits to soften and sooth , and ultimately to sqtxjue , th ^ paeons , th ^ great sources #£ , human infirmity . At all events * it will nptj ? e denied tfcat pound knowledge iays ; a eplid foundation for virtue ; and of is
that when the a ^ tetttioa the atudeot aw akened by the instruction which the teacheroommuoicates y when his interests excited ; by 4 he « perception of - the importance and cotoiiBiitQn ^ ; when he sees that * he praoticalapplittitiott of die ^ fac et s feai ^« W be niadti without intellect tual yigdur and 'cnoral cotti'i ee ^ £ heh is the niottient , 6 f whkh th £ teacher i ^ iftn ite ^ mmi
mmm ^ b » m h mgMN ^^ m , m ™ %$ Mmffll # & > W mS WWmYWWM" * WJ $ f l # A * alone can en ^ em&qim mM 9 - \; WMm menpjmifm * mmsotitt wWch caniiaever rec ^ ifj ^ i jfJiej |^ D ^^^ k >||^? i |; h ^^ ipflf 4 e Af )^ \ rie 9 ner jfQrgQtten ;( iarid ito regolutions
Untitled Article
772 University of London .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1828, page 772, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2566/page/44/
-