The principles of moral and political philosophy / William Paley ; foreword by D.L. Le Mahieu.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Paley, William, 1743-1805.

Contributor:

Le Mahieu, D.L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Utilitarianism.

Ethics.

Political science--Philosophy.

Political science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (529 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Indianapolis, Ind. : Liberty Fund, c2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This classic work by William Paley was one of the most popular books in England and America in the early nineteenth century. Its significance lies in the fact that it marks an important point at which eighteenth century "whiggism" began to be transformed into nineteenth century "liberalism." First published in 1785, Paley's "Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy" was originally based on his Cambridge lectures of 1766-1776. It was designed for instructional purposes and was almost immediately adopted as a required text for all undergraduates at Cambridge. The great popularity of Paley's "Principles" is perhaps due in part to the author's remarkable gift for clear exposition. Even today, this work is very readable and easily comprehended. But the popularity of the book also reflected the fact that Paley expressed some of the leading scientific, theological, and ethical ideas of his time and place. In this respect, Paley's great classic provides valuable insight into the Anglo-American mind of the early nineteenth century and helps us better understand the thinking processes and evolving concepts of liberty and virtue that were displacing the old "whiggism" of the preceding century. As editor D. L. Le Mahieu states, "To Paley, the undeniable demands of self interest coincided rather than conflicted with the needs of society." Paley believed that "it was the utility of any moral rule alone which determined obligation." In his political theory, Paley rejected social contract theory and substituted instead a natural history of civil society. His opposition to electoral reform, and, later, the French Revolution, "became part of a larger ideological discourse that helped the British elites withstand the revolutionary currents of the 1790s."D. L. Le Mahieu is Hotchkiss Presidential Professor at Lake Forest College in Illinois. He is also the author of "The Mind of William Paley: A Philosopher and His Age" (1976) and " A Culture for Democracy " (1988).Click here for a pdf file of a brochure with additional information about this title.

Contents:

""William Paley, The Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy ""; ""Front Matter ""; ""Title Page ""; ""Copyright Details ""; ""Table of Contents, p. v ""; ""Foreword, p. xi ""; ""Select Bibliography, p. xxix ""; ""Letter to the Bishop of Carlisle by William Paley, p. xxxi ""; ""Preface, p. xxxv ""; ""Book 1. Preliminary Considerations ""; ""1. Definitions and Use of the Science, p. 1 ""; ""2. The Law of Honour, p. 1 ""; ""3. The Law of the Land, p. 2 ""; ""4. The Scriptures, p. 3 ""; ""5. The Moral Sense, p. 6 ""; ""6. Human Happiness, p. 12 ""; ""7. Virtue, p. 25 ""

""Book II. Moral Obligation """"1. The Question, Why Am I Obliged to Keep My Word? Considered, p. 33 ""; ""2. What We Mean, When We Say a Man Is Obliged to Do a Thing, p. 34 ""; ""3. The Question, Why Am I Obliged to Keep My Word? Resumed, p. 35 ""; ""4. The Will of God, p. 37 ""; ""5. The Divine Benevolence, p. 39 ""; ""6. Utility, p. 42 ""; ""7. The Necessity of General Rules, p. 44 ""; ""8. The Consideration of General Consequences Pursued, p. 46 ""; ""9. Of Right, p. 49 ""; ""10. The Division of Rights, p. 51 ""; ""11. The General Rights of Mankind, p. 56 ""

""Book III. Relative Duties """"Part I. Of Relative Duties Which Are Determinate ""; ""1. Of Property, p. 63 ""; ""2. The Use of the Institution of Property, p. 64 ""; ""3. The History of Property, p. 66 ""; ""4. In What the Right of Property Is Founded, p. 68 ""; ""5. Promises, p. 73 ""; ""6. Contracts, p. 84 ""; ""7. Contracts for Sale, p. 85 ""; ""8. Contracts of Hazard, p. 88 ""; ""9. Contracts of Lending of Inconsumable Property, p. 90 ""; ""10. Contracts Concerning the Lending of Money, p. 92 ""; ""11. Contracts of Labour, p. 97 ""; ""12. Contracts of Labour, p. 100 ""

""13. Contracts of Labour - Parnership, p. 103 """"14. Contracts of Labour - Offices, p. 104 ""; ""15. Lies, p. 107 ""; ""16. Oaths, p. 110 ""; ""17. Oath in Evidence, p. 116 ""; ""18. Oath of Allegiance, p. 118 ""; ""19. Oaths Against Bribery in the Election, p. 121 ""; ""20. Oath Against Simony, p. 121 ""; ""21. Oaths to Observe Local Statutes""; ""22. Subscription to Articles of Religion, p. 125 ""; ""23. Wills, p. 127 ""; ""Part II. Of the Relative Duties Which Are Indeterminate ""; ""1. Charity, p. 133 ""; ""2. Charity - The Treatment of Our Domestics, p. 134 ""; ""3. Slavery, p. 135 ""

""4. Charity - Professional Assistance, p. 138 """"5. Charity - Precuniary Bounty, p. 140 ""; ""6. Resentment, p. 149 ""; ""7. Anger, p. 150 ""; ""8. Revenge, p. 152 ""; ""9. Duelling, p. 156 ""; ""10. Litigation, p. 158 ""; ""11. Gratitude, p. 162 ""; ""12. Slander, p. 163 ""; ""Part III. Of Relative Duties Which Result from the Constitution of the Sexes ""; ""1. Of the Public Use of Marriage Institutions, p. 167 ""; ""2. Fornication, p. 168 ""; ""3. Seduction, p. 174 ""; ""4. Adultery, p. 176 ""; ""5. Incest, p. 180 ""; ""6. Polygamy, p. 182 ""; ""7. Of Divorce, p. 186 ""

""8. Marriage, p. 193 ""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-61487-846-3