PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
Reading edition
SECTION I.
NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENCE OF THE MORAL FEELINGS.
Division of the Mental Powers into Intellectual and Moral1
Harmony which ought to exist between these classes3
Causes by which this harmony is interrupted,—and means of counteracting them3
Interest of the science of the Moral Feelings5
Peculiar sources of Knowledge bearing upon it, from the light of Conscience, and of Divine Revelation7
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 Science11
Classification of First Truths in Moral Science, as impressions arising out of each other, by an obvious chain of relations16
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 belief18
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE MORAL FEELINGS.
Analysis of Man as a Moral Being27
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.