History of moral science.

  • Robert Blakey
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History of moral science. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    for and ag'ainst this theory have been detailed at a considerable length, in the essay on King-'s system ; but I will here advance a few additional reasons, principally of a more popular complexion, in favour of the doctrine, that virtue depends upon the will of God. I think it a very important rule in all our in- quiries into really interesting matters of specula- tion, and a rule, too, which we ought never to lose sight of for a single moment, that where the more abstract arguments of any two opposite theories are pretty nearly balanced, and where it becomes a very nice or difficult matter to come to a decided conclu- sion as to which we should give the preference, that we ponder well which system is likely to square in with the general or popular notions current among mankind on the subject, and how their moral and religious opinions may be affected by the views we adopt. Two o])posite theories of human nature may be supported by nearly the same degree of ab- stract evidence ; but the one may exercise a perni- cious, or at least a cold and chilling, effect upon our moral affections and religious feelings ; and the other may strengthen and invigorate both, in a very decided and powerful degree. To which, then, ought we to give the preference ? Undoubtedly to