A philosophical treatise on the passions ... / [T. Cogan].

  • Thomas Cogan
Date:
1800
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A philosophical treatise on the passions ... / [T. Cogan]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    45/400 page 21
    our natures; and then inquire what are the neceffa- ry confequences of this principle in beings formed as we are, placed in various fituations, and fur- rounded by an infinite variety of circumftances. By thus attending to the hiftory of the human mind, and tracing the manner in which it is affected by various caufes, a proper arrangement may perhaps^ prelent itfelf: We fhall at leaft avoid thofe mif- takes and embarraffments into which men of emi- nence have been betrayed by purfuing other me- thods. It will be univerfally acknowledged, that it is ef- fential to the nature of every fenfitive and intelli- gent being, to be gratified with, or delight in well- being. This is fo evident a principle, that the con- trary cannot be fuppofed for a moment. Both rea- fon and feeling unite to eftablifh this axiom. We all feel the ineftimable value of happinefs, and we all know that to delight in mifery, is a contradiction. It would be to annihilate mifery. (See Note C.) This well-being, or grateful ftate of exiftence, we unite to denominate an effential good; and its oppofite an effential evil. Whatever promotes this ftate, we deem to be productive of good ; whatever is an impediment to it, or occafions a ftate of un- eafy fenfation, we conlider as productive of evil. Thefc ideas naturally lead us to efteem that as a c 3 good
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3