The Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers of Man

📘 About This Book

Excerpt from The Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers of Man The sixth and seventh volumes of Mr. Stewart's Collected Works comprise all that he has written on the doctrine of Ethics proper; - to wit, Part Second of the Outlines of Moral Philosophy, and the two volumes of The Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers of Man. Of the latter, The Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers, there has been only one edition, in 1828, the year of Mr. Stewart's death; and the only part of that publication for which any additions by the Author have been found available, is the Appendix on Free Agency, (Vol. I. p. 343, seq.,) of which a transcript, varying occasionally from the printed text, and apparently anterior to the impression, has been preserved. Of the former, The Outlines of Moral Philosophy, as already mentioned, (Works, Vol. II. p. viii.) there were four editions during the author's lifetime, in the three earlier of which Mr. Stewart has written various annotations, and these (when not merely jottings significant only to himself) have been here carefully incorporated, even though sometimes only quotations subsequently adduced in his Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

📖 Summary

The Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers of Man by Dugald Stewart represents a cornerstone of Scottish Enlightenment ethical inquiry, capturing the culmination of the author's lifelong dedication to the study of human nature. Spanning over four hundred pages, this significant volume was originally published in the final year of Stewart's life, in 1828, and later preserved within the broader framework of his collected works. The material serves as the definitive textual home for Stewart's fully developed doctrines concerning ethics proper, expanding upon the foundational frameworks laid out in earlier works like the Outlines of Moral Philosophy. Modern readers gain access to a carefully curated edition that brings historical philosophical discourse back into the light, illuminating how nineteenth-century thinkers approached the intricate mechanics of human agency, duty, and moral judgment. At its core, the text is structured to dissect the various faculties that drive human beings into action, distinguishing between the active powers that prompt us to move and engage with the world, and the moral powers that govern and evaluate those impulses. Stewart meticulously examines the motivations, affections, and desires that animate human behavior, arguing that our active nature is intrinsically tied to a higher moral capacity designed to regulate our passions. A vital component of this exploration is the detailed treatment of free agency, a subject to which Stewart dedicated considerable thought. The inclusion of manuscript materials and preserved transcripts regarding free agency offers a fascinating glimpse into the author's final revisions and evolving perspectives on human liberty versus causal determinism. Throughout the pages, Stewart engages with the perennial questions of conscience, obligation, and the ultimate criteria of right and wrong, maintaining a steadfast commitment to common-sense philosophy and empirical observation of the human mind. The prose reflects the intellectual rigor and pedagogical clarity that made Stewart a celebrated figure at the University of Edinburgh, appealing to students of moral philosophy who wish to trace the lineage of modern ethical theory. By examining the interplay between active desires and moral governance, the book provides a comprehensive map of the human soul as understood by one of the premier Scottish philosophers of the nineteenth century. For contemporary scholars, historians of philosophy, and curious readers alike, this text offers an enriching journey through the architecture of moral reasoning and the enduring debate over what it truly means to possess active and moral power.

🎯 Key Lessons

⚖️ Pros & Cons

❓ FAQ

💬 💬 Reader Comments (0)