Theory of Morals: An Inquiry Concerning the Law of Moral Distinctions and the Variations and Contradictions of Ethical Codes

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C. C. Little & J. Brown, 1844 - Literary Criticism - 272 pages

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Contents

Definition of Wrong Actions
19
Positive and Negative Sense of the Terms Pleasure
20
Homicides justifiable in a Mystic Point of View Reli gious Persecutions Hereticide 155
23
Wounds Blows Poisons and other Injuries to the Per
24
They appertain to what are called Duties to Ourselves
26
Government originates in
27
To the Case of Incontinence
32
Necessary Connexion between Perception and Emotion
36
Mystic Theory of Morals
38
65
48
List of simple original Emotions
51
70
54
Difference in this Respect between the Child and
57
Effect upon Benevolence produced by the Voice
60
Reasons of the superior Rank assigned to Emotions
63
Paradoxes to which that Theory leads
69
Effect of the Sexual Sentiment upon Benevolence Love
72
Effect of Admiration upon Disapprobation 109
75
Sentiment of Selfcomparison Law of its Action
78
It constitutes the chief Motive to the Pursuit of Wealth
83
Examination of the Selfish Theory
84
Love of Knowledge chiefly dependent on Selfcomparison
90
False Shame
96
CHAPTER IV
100
All Actions of all Kinds originate in Mental Necessity
106
Effect of an Increase of Virtue on the Happiness of
107
Approbation Merit
109
Attempts of the Semimystics to avoid those Conse
115
Third School Application of the Moral Theory of pure
122
Views of the Character of Man entertained by these
129
That Reason not operative with Respect to the Dead
135
PART SECOND SOLUTION OF MORAL PROBLEMS AND CONCILIATION OF ETHICAL CODES CHAPTER I
137
Homicide
138
Light in which Homicide is regarded by some Mystic Codes
140
Forensic View of Homicide Selfdefence
141
Laws of War
142
Duelling
144
Insults
158
CHAPTER II
159
Cases to which these Reasons do not apply
160
Influence of the Distribution of Property on Respect for the Rights of Property
161
Imperfection of the Laws how they diminish Respect for the Rights of Property
162
Malevolence essential to the Continuance of Slavery
163
Important Difference in this Respect between Property in Slaves and other Kinds of Property
164
Mystical Defenders of Slavery
165
CHAPTER III
166
Doctrine of the Divine Right of Governors
176
Duties of good Citizenship Patriotism Public Spirit
185
and Consequences
189
As regards Men
197
That Liberty not extended to the Unmarried and why
204
Disciples of this Doctrine in all Ages and Countries
211
CHAPTER VII
215
Parents and Children
216
Other Effects of an enlarged Sphere of the Sentiment of Benevolence
217
Breaches of the Duty of Friendship esteemed more criminal than Breaches of the Duty of Love and why
218
Duties to Superiors
220
Gallantry towards Women Its Origin and Extent
221
Remarkable Difference between Codes of Law and Codes of Morals as to the Extent of the Right of Property 12 Duty of Munificence or Liberality
222
Duty of Charity Pity
223
Distinction between Pity and Sympathy
224
Women peculiarly susceptible to Pity
225
Right of making War Practicability of its Extinguish ment
227
Duties to Strangers National Prejudices
228
Piracy and the Slave Trade
229
22 Reasons of the Abhorrence felt for criminal Homicide in civilized Countries 154
230
CHAPTER VIII
231
Virtuous Indignation so called
233
CHAPTER IX
240
Religious Faith Different Ideas of
246
CHAPTER X
252
Falsity of that Doctrine
257
CHAPTER II
263
Second Means Alleviation of counteracting Pains
269

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Page 140 - If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not ; Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damned incest.
Page 214 - How oft, when press'd to marriage, have I said, Curse on all laws but those which love has made! Love, free as air, at sight of human ties, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies...
Page 78 - She, while her lover pants upon her breast, Can mark the figures on an Indian chest ; And when she sees her friend in...
Page 138 - And that must end us, that must be our cure, To be no more. Sad cure! for who would lose, Though full of pain, this intellectual being, Those thoughts that wander through eternity, To perish rather, swallowed up and lost In the wide womb of uncreated Night, Devoid of sense and motion?
Page 111 - Others apart sat on a hill retired, In thoughts more elevate, and reasoned high Of Providence, Foreknowledge, Will, and Fate— Fixed fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute — And found no end, in wandering mazes lost.
Page 139 - To sleep ! perchance to dream; ay, there 's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. There 's the respect, That makes calamity of so long life...
Page 217 - HE that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune ; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men ; which both in affection and means have married and endowed the public.
Page 199 - Hail wedded Love, mysterious law, true source Of human offspring, sole propriety In Paradise of all things common else. By thee adulterous lust was driven from men Among the bestial herds to range; by thee, Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother first were known.
Page i - For to say, that a blind custom of obedience should be a surer obligation, than duty taught and understood; it is to affirm, that a blind man may tread surer by a guide, than a seeing man can by a light.
Page 40 - As was her sister; whether dread did dwell Or anguish in her hart, is hard to tell: Upon her arme a silver anchor lay, Whereon she leaned ever, as befell : And ever up to heaven, as she did pray, Her stedfast eyes were bent, ne swarved other way.

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