A Treatise on the Passions and Affections of the Mind, Philosophical, Ethical, and Theological Volume 5; In a Series of Disquisitions, in Which Are

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1813 Excerpt: ... CONCLUSION. We have now finished our analytical enquiries. If we have been circuitous, it was in order to follow the clues which might best conduct us through many labyrinths. We have been prolix, in order to be perspicuous; and we have attempted to define or explain every important word which presented itself, in order to escape that confusion of ideas which is the natural result of confusion in language. In our ethical disquisitions, we have not entered into those speculative subjects which generally attract the attention of moral philosophers; but we have endeavoured to trace the moral history of the human mind, in its powers, pursuits, motives of action, &c. The obvious and important result of our enquiries is, that no pursuits can be so interesting as the moral and intellectual improvement of the human mind; and no motives so powerful as those which proceed from the principles of true religion. It has been shewn that, if we consider religion in its general and most comprehensive sense, or as it respects the sentiments of mankind, concerning the existence, demands, and powers, of superior Beings, it is a very potent principle of action; whatever may be the opinions concerning the specific duties imposed. This principle is universally acknowledged to possess a momentum, far exceeding every consideration of a sublunary influence. Hence it is, that erroneous opinions in religion have been productive of so many evils. We have also proved, that the conceptions of religion most favourable to virtue, most conducive to human happiness, which destroy the opposition naturally subsisting between self-interest and the social duties, are founded on a solid basis; and they are not to be confounded with those wild and extravagant notions which pervaded the pagan worl...