Philosophiae Moralis Institutio Compendiaria, with A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy. Francis Hutcheson
Preface. The division of philosophy into 3 parts. The several branches of moral philosophy. 1. The Author’s intention in this compend. 2. The design of Cicero’s books de officiis. ib. An account of this 2d edition. 3. And an exhortation to philosophy. 4.
BOOK I. The Elements of Ethicks.
Chapt. I. Of human nature and its various parts or powers. p. 1.
1. How moral philosophy an art superior to others. 1. derived from the structure of our nature. 2. the method of treating it. ib.
2. The human body its dignity. 3.
3. The powers of the soul, understanding and will. 4. the senses external and internal, whence our notions of good and evil. 4, 5. Sensations of a middle kind, their use. sensations direct and reflex. 6.
5. The sublimer senses. ib. The will and its calm motions. 7, 8.
6. The passions distinct from them. 8. their divisions. 9.
7. Affections selfish or disinterested. 10. disinterested, calm or passionate. 11. ends ultimate or subordinate. 12. two general determinations of mind. ib.
8. The reflex senses. 12. The pleasures of imagination in beauty, musick, painting, and all imitation. 13. in grandeur, novelty, knowledge. ib. 14.
9. Sympathy with others. 14.
10. Man fitted for action. 15. Reflex senses to regulate our actions. ib. the sense of moral good and evil, or conscience. 16. the objects of approbation and condemnation. 17. this sense natural without views of interest. 17. objections answered. 19, 20.
11. Degrees of virtue. 21. degrees of vice also various. 21, 22, 23. <viii>
12. The Conscience or moral sense the guide of life. 23. its supremacy. 24, 25.
13. The sense of honour and shame. 26. the uniformity of these senses. 27.
14. The sense of what’s ridiculous, laughter. 28.
15. Several sorts of good, and passions toward them. 28, 29. The species of selfish desires and aversions. 29. and of disinterested. 30. species of selfish joy and sorrow. ib. of disinterested joy and sorrow. 31.
16. All these how natural. 31.
17. Associations of ideas and habits. 32. their influence. ib. subordinate desires. 33. The power of speech. 34. Diversities of temper. 35. and present depravation of mankind. ib.
18. ’Tis the business of philosophy to shew the natural order of the several parts, and how they may conspire to one end. 36.
Chapt. II. Of the Supreme Good. 39.
1. The influence of the understanding over the will. ib. the mutual power of the will. 40.
2. The nature of good and final causes. 40. How goods are estimated, and what the characters of the Supreme Good. 41, 42.
3. The instability and inconsistency of several sorts. 42.
4. Absence of uneasiness not the chief good. 43. Sensual pleasures the meanest sort. 44. they are recommended by false colours. 45. condemned even by the voluptuous. 46. virtue admits the best enjoyment of them. ib.
5. The pleasures of grandeur and elegance and the ingenious arts not sufficient alone. 47, 48.
6. Our sympathy of great importance. 49. and very lasting, but wholly depending on Providence. 50.
7. Pleasures of a moral kind the highest. 51. joined with those of piety the most durable also. 52.
8. The importance of the sense of honour. 53.
9. The pleasures of mirth conspire with the moral. 54.
10. As do also the pursuits of wealth and power, and desires of life. ib. 55. our happiness therefor depends on virtue. 56.
11. The opposite evils compared. 56. No pain opposite to some internal pleasures. 57. Virtue no natural occasion of evil. ib. The sole cure of sympathetick pains from piety. 58. Moral evil the greatest, conjoined with infamy. 58, 59. The sum of virtue and happiness. ib.
12. all dependent on the Deity. ib. <ix>
Chapt. III. Of the Divisions of Virtue. 61.
1. The general notion of virtue and its higher kinds. ib. lower degrees. ib. virtuous powers and habits. 62. manly dispositions approved. ib.
2. Virtues intellectual and moral, first intellectual. 63. moral how placed in mediocrity. 64. cardinal virtues four. 65.
3. Prudence its parts. ib. Fortitude. ib. 66. Temperance and its branches. 67. Justice the chief virtue. ib.
4. The true spring of virtue. 68, 69. mediocrity not its primary notion. 70.
5. Another obvious division. ib.
Chapt. IV. Our Duties toward God. 72.
1. Just opinions and affections suited to them contain all piety. ib. affections due to the natural attributes. ib.
2. Affections suited to the moral attributes. 73. Grounds of a general hope to sinners. 74, 75. the divine goodness the sole ground of stable tranquillity. ib. Piety natural. 76. the acts of worship their intention and use. ib.
3. Publick worship due. 77, 78.
Chapt. V. Our Duties toward mankind. 79.
1. Natural affections shew our duties. ib.
2. and are great sources of happiness. 80. the sum of social virtues. 81.
3. Our ordinary duties spring from less extensive affections: which all should cherish. ib. other obvious indications of duty. 82, 83.
4. The nature and rules of friendship. 83, 84.
5. A due proportion of affections. 85, 86.
Chapt. VI. Duties toward ourselves. 87.
1. Obtaining knowledge and just opinions chiefly about the Deity. ib. and our own nature. ib. 88.
2. The belief of a providence. 89. and contempt of external things. ib. knowledge insufficient without practice. 90, 91.
3. The several branches of virtue. 91. no natural passion useless. ib. moderate ones often lovely and useful. 92, 93. Love of life. 93. desire of pleasures. ib. Liberality and frugality. 94. Magnificence. ib. Magnanimity. ib. Ambition. 95. Love of fame. ib. wise resentment. ib. just indignation. 96. Veracity, candour. ib. Courtesy. ib. Modesty. 97.
4. Care of the body. 98. some occupation or business. ib. the dignity of several professions. ib.
Chapt. VII. Practical Considerations &c. 100. <x>
1. Our higher powers lead to virtue, ib. a sense of duty and a moral providence universal. 101.
2. Motives to virtue. 102. ’tis generally both pleasant and advantageous. ib. this shewn of Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude.