31 - /
Such abilities, such dispositions, and such stores of knowledge, as have been mentioned, accompanied with a happy talent of speaking with ease, with propriety and spirit, rendered him one of the most masterly and PREFACE.xxxi engaging teachers that has appeared in our age. Hehad a great fund of natural eloquence and a persuasive manner: he attended indeed much more to sense than expression, and yet his expression was good: he was master of that precision and accuracy of languagewhich is necessary in philosophical enquiries. But he did not look upon it as his duty, either in his prelec tions, or in his writings upon moral and religious subjects, to keep up strictly at all times to the character of the didactive teacher, by confining himself to all the precision requisite in accurate explication and strict argument. He apprehended that he was answering the design of his office as effectually, when he dwelt in a more diffusive manner upon such moral conside rations as are suited to touch the heart, and excite a relish for virtue, as when explaining or establishing any doctrine, even of real importance, with the most philosophical exactness: he regarded the culture of the heart as a main end of all moral instruction: he kept it habitually in view, and he was extremely well qualified for succeeding in it, so far as human means can go: he had an uncommon vivacity of thought and sensibility of temper, which rendered him quickly suscep- xxxii PREFACE. tible of the warmest emotions upon the great subjects of morals and religion: this gave a pleasant unction to his discourses, which commanded the attention of the students, and at the same time left strong impressions upon their minds: he filled their hearts with a new and higher kind of pleasure than they had any experience of before, when he opened to their view, in his animated manner, large fields of science of which hitherto they had no conception: when, for instance, he pointed out to his pupils, in his lectures on Natu ral Theology, the numberless evidences of wonderful art and kind design in the structure of particular things, and the still more astonishing evidences of the wisest contrivance, and of the most benign intention, in the whole material system considered as one thing, it is easy to conceive that their tender minds, warm with the love of knowledge, would be greatly struck. Such views of nature were new discoveries to them, which filled them with delight and astonishment, and gave them at the same time the most joyful and satisfying conviction of the being and perfections of the great Author of all. In like manner, when he led them from the view of the external world to the contemplation of PREFACE.xxxiii the internal one, the soul of man, and shewed them like instances of Divine wisdom and benignity in the contrivance of its moral constitution, they were filled with fresh delight and wonder, and discerned new and encreasing proofs of the glorious perfections of the Father of our spirits. And when he described the several virtues exercised in real life, as beautiful in themselves, as the noblest employment of our rational and moral powers, as the only sources of true dig nity and happiness to individuals and to communities, they were charmed with the lovely forms, and panted to be what they beheld. The pleasure springing from the light of truth and beauty of virtue breaking in upon ingenious and well-disposed minds, excited such a keen desire of knowledge, and such an ardor of pursuing it, as suspended for a time those impulses of youthful passions which are apt to hurry young men away, in that period of life. But that it may not be imagined these strong effects are entirely to be ascribed to the charms of novelty, it deserves to be taken notice of, that students advanced in years and knowledge chused to attend his lectures on Moral Philosophy, for four, five, or six years together, still finding xxxiv PREFACE. fresh entertainment, tho' the subject in the main was the same every season.
32 - /
Such abilities, such dispositions, and such stores of knowledge, as have been mentioned, accompanied with a happy talent of speaking with ease, with propriety and spirit, rendered him one of the most masterly and PREFACE.xxxi engaging teachers that has appeared in our age. Hehad a great fund of natural eloquence and a persuasive manner: he attended indeed much more to sense than expression, and yet his expression was good: he was master of that precision and accuracy of languagewhich is necessary in philosophical enquiries. But he did not look upon it as his duty, either in his prelec tions, or in his writings upon moral and religious subjects, to keep up strictly at all times to the character of the didactive teacher, by confining himself to all the precision requisite in accurate explication and strict argument. He apprehended that he was answering the design of his office as effectually, when he dwelt in a more diffusive manner upon such moral conside rations as are suited to touch the heart, and excite a relish for virtue, as when explaining or establishing any doctrine, even of real importance, with the most philosophical exactness: he regarded the culture of the heart as a main end of all moral instruction: he kept it habitually in view, and he was extremely well qualified for succeeding in it, so far as human means can go: he had an uncommon vivacity of thought and sensibility of temper, which rendered him quickly suscep- xxxii PREFACE. tible of the warmest emotions upon the great subjects of morals and religion: this gave a pleasant unction to his discourses, which commanded the attention of the students, and at the same time left strong impressions upon their minds: he filled their hearts with a new and higher kind of pleasure than they had any experience of before, when he opened to their view, in his animated manner, large fields of science of which hitherto they had no conception: when, for instance, he pointed out to his pupils, in his lectures on Natu ral Theology, the numberless evidences of wonderful art and kind design in the structure of particular things, and the still more astonishing evidences of the wisest contrivance, and of the most benign intention, in the whole material system considered as one thing, it is easy to conceive that their tender minds, warm with the love of knowledge, would be greatly struck. Such views of nature were new discoveries to them, which filled them with delight and astonishment, and gave them at the same time the most joyful and satisfying conviction of the being and perfections of the great Author of all. In like manner, when he led them from the view of the external world to the contemplation of PREFACE.xxxiii the internal one, the soul of man, and shewed them like instances of Divine wisdom and benignity in the contrivance of its moral constitution, they were filled with fresh delight and wonder, and discerned new and encreasing proofs of the glorious perfections of the Father of our spirits. And when he described the several virtues exercised in real life, as beautiful in themselves, as the noblest employment of our rational and moral powers, as the only sources of true dig nity and happiness to individuals and to communities, they were charmed with the lovely forms, and panted to be what they beheld. The pleasure springing from the light of truth and beauty of virtue breaking in upon ingenious and well-disposed minds, excited such a keen desire of knowledge, and such an ardor of pursuing it, as suspended for a time those impulses of youthful passions which are apt to hurry young men away, in that period of life. But that it may not be imagined these strong effects are entirely to be ascribed to the charms of novelty, it deserves to be taken notice of, that students advanced in years and knowledge chused to attend his lectures on Moral Philosophy, for four, five, or six years together, still finding xxxiv PREFACE. fresh entertainment, tho' the subject in the main was the same every season.
33 - /
It was a great addition to the usefulness of his lessons, that they were not confined to high speculations, and the peculiarities of a scheme, but frequently descended to common life, sometimes pointing out and exposing fashionable vices and follies in the upper part of the world, departures from real justice and equity in the busy and commercial part of it, and the dangerous rocks on which youth is apt to split and make shipwreck both of virtue and happiness; and at other times insisting upon matters acknowledged by all, to be of the highest importance. The grand maxims he dwelt upon, and laboured to instil into the minds of his pupils, were to rejoice above all things in the firm persuasion of the universal Providence of a Being infinitely wise and good, who loves all his works, and cannot be conceived as hating any thing he hath made. This he constantly inculcated in the warmest manner, „as a steady foundation of entire trust and confidence in him, and chearful submission to his will in all events. That sufferings may be considered as our greatest blessings, by giving us an opportu- PREFACE.xxxv „nity of practising the most sublime virtues, such as resignation to the will of God, forgiving of injuries, returning good for evil, and by leading us to form just notions of the vanity of all things, except the love of God, and the love and practice of universal goodness: that all our advantages, of all kinds, are things which ought never to be ascribed to ourselves, but to God the giver of all. That love and gratitude ascribing to him the glory of all that is excellent, joined to a vigorous zeal of doing good, seems to be the height of human perfection.“ He delivered himself on these grand topics in that simple but striking manner which immediately touches the heart, and presents the imagination with the most beautiful and engaging forms.
34 - /
It was a great addition to the usefulness of his lessons, that they were not confined to high speculations, and the peculiarities of a scheme, but frequently descended to common life, sometimes pointing out and exposing fashionable vices and follies in the upper part of the world, departures from real justice and equity in the busy and commercial part of it, and the dangerous rocks on which youth is apt to split and make shipwreck both of virtue and happiness; and at other times insisting upon matters acknowledged by all, to be of the highest importance. The grand maxims he dwelt upon, and laboured to instil into the minds of his pupils, were to rejoice above all things in the firm persuasion of the universal Providence of a Being infinitely wise and good, who loves all his works, and cannot be conceived as hating any thing he hath made. This he constantly inculcated in the warmest manner, „as a steady foundation of entire trust and confidence in him, and chearful submission to his will in all events. That sufferings may be considered as our greatest blessings, by giving us an opportu- PREFACE.xxxv „nity of practising the most sublime virtues, such as resignation to the will of God, forgiving of injuries, returning good for evil, and by leading us to form just notions of the vanity of all things, except the love of God, and the love and practice of universal goodness: that all our advantages, of all kinds, are things which ought never to be ascribed to ourselves, but to God the giver of all. That love and gratitude ascribing to him the glory of all that is excellent, joined to a vigorous zeal of doing good, seems to be the height of human perfection.“ He delivered himself on these grand topics in that simple but striking manner which immediately touches the heart, and presents the imagination with the most beautiful and engaging forms.
35 - /
As he had occasion every year in the course of his lectures to explain the origin of government, and compare the different forms of it, he took peculiar care, while on that subject, to inculcate the importance of civil and religious liberty to the happiness of mankind: as a warm love of liberty, and manly zeal for promot ing it, were ruling principles in his own breast, he always insisted upon it at great length, and with the greatest xxxvi PREFACE. strength of argument and earnestness of persuasion: and he had such success on this important point, that few, if any, of his pupils, whatever contrary prejudices they might bring along with them, ever left him without favourable notions of that side of the question which he espoused and defended.
36 - /
* According to our Author's scheme it is only vindicating the Divine Wisdom and Goodness, manisested in the con stitution of our nature, to assert the existence and binding authority of the moral sense; because whatever other obliga tions we may be under, this internal onewill co-operate with them, when the mind perceives them, and will exercise its authority without them, when thro' a variety of causes we may be hindered from attending to them. Is the law of God duely promulgated the supreme obligation on all intelligent beings in this view of obligation,the internal law will co-operate with theexternal one, when we are attentive to itsauthority; and when we are not, it will be a rule of action, in some degree at least,without it. Besides it may be observed, that if the obligation of the moral sense be admitted to be a real one, men of the most sceptical turn of mind must be considered as remaining under its authority whenthey have set themselves at liberty from allother ties. Let us suppose a person so unhappy as not to believe that there is a God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, or that it is his interest upon the whole in this life to act the virtuous part; even such a person is still under the power of the internal sentiment, that one thing is right and another wrong. If he acts contrary to it he violates a known obligation, and must be conscious that he deservespunishment, and that it awaits him, if there is a judge and punisher. If we suppose that the sense of right and wrong is entirely erazed, then on our Author's scheme, as well as that of others, he is still accountable at least for the previous steps he had taken to bring him self in to this state of total insensibility as to all moralperceptions and views.37 - /
A Master, of such talents, such assiduity in the duties of his office, with the accomplishments of the gentleman, and fond of well-disposed youth, entering into their concerns, encouraging and befriending them on all occasions, could not fail to gain their esteem and affections in a very high degree. This gave him a great influence over them, which he employed to the excellent purposes of stamping virtuous impressions upon their hearts, and awakening in them a taste for literature, fine arts, and every thing that is ornamental or useful to human life. And he had remarkable success in reviving the study of ancient literature, particularly the Greek, which had been much neglected in the University before his time: he spread such an ar dor for knowledge, and such a spirit of enquiry every where around him, that the conversation of the students at their social walks and visits turned with great keenness upon subjects of learning and taste, and contributed greatly to animate and carry them forward in the most valuable pursuits. He did not confine his attention to the pupils immediately under his care, but laid xxxviii PREFACE. himself out to be useful to the students in all the different faculties, whenever any opportunity offered: andhe was especially solicitous to be serviceable to the students of divinity, endeavouring, among other im portantinstructions, to give them just notions of the main design of preaching. High speculations on disputable points, either of Theology or Philosophy, he looked upon as altogether improper for the pulpit, at least on all ordinary occasions. He particularly insisted upon the uselessness and impropriety of handling in the pul pit such speculative questions, as, whether human nature is capable of disinterested affections, whether the original of duty or moral obligation is from natural conscience, or moral sense, from law, or from rational views of interest, and such like enquiries. Tho' such disquisitions might be proper and even necessary in a school of philosophy*, yet in his view of things
* According to our Author's scheme it is only vindicating the Divine Wisdom and Goodness, manisested in the con stitution of our nature, to assert the existence and binding authority of the moral sense; because whatever other obliga tions we may be under, this internal onewill co-operate with them, when the mind perceives them, and will exercise its authority without them, when thro' a variety of causes we may be hindered from attending to them. Is the law of God duely promulgated the supreme obligation on all intelligent beings in this view of obligation,the internal law will co-operate with theexternal one, when we are attentive to itsauthority; and when we are not, it will be a rule of action, in some degree at least,without it. Besides it may be observed, that if the obligation of the moral sense be admitted to be a real one, men of the most sceptical turn of mind must be considered as remaining under its authority whenthey have set themselves at liberty from allother ties. Let us suppose a person so unhappy as not to believe that there is a God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, or that it is his interest upon the whole in this life to act the virtuous part; even such a person is still under the power of the internal sentiment, that one thing is right and another wrong. If he acts contrary to it he violates a known obligation, and must be conscious that he deservespunishment, and that it awaits him, if there is a judge and punisher. If we suppose that the sense of right and wrong is entirely erazed, then on our Author's scheme, as well as that of others, he is still accountable at least for the previous steps he had taken to bring him self in to this state of total insensibility as to all moralperceptions and views.
PREFACE.xxxix they did not fall within the province of the preacher, whose office is not to explain the principles of the human mind, but to address himself to them, and set them in motion: besides, as to the philosophical question concerning moral obligation, all the different ways of explaining it conspire to press the same virtuous course of action, which is the main thing the sacred orator should be concerned about. The general plan of preaching which he recommended was to this purpose: As mankind are weak, ignorant, guilty creatures, altogether insufficient for their own happiness, and every moment exposed to many unavoidable calamities, let them be called upon to reflect upon themselves as such, and let these doctrines of natural and revealed religion, which will impart consolation to them under these humbling views of themselves, be set before them in the strongest light: As they are apt to xl PREFACE. be seduced both from their duty and happiness by sel fish and sensual passions, let both the awful doctrines of religion, which may strike a dread and check the impulses of bad passions, and the joyful ones, which may excite and encourage to the practice of purity, sincerity, and all goodness, be displayed before them in all their force. And as they are prone to rest in the general knowledge of their duty, without seriously applying it to the government of their hearts and lives, let the religious instructor take care not to dwell too much upon such general topics as the beauty, excellency, and reasonableness of the Divine Laws, but commonly descend, in a minute and particular manner, to direct their conduct in all the relations and stations of life, even the lowest, and in the ordinary business and intercourses of it. And let all these things be done without laboured elevation of language, in that plain and simple manner which touches the heart, and brings things home to the conscience and imme diate feeling of every one.38 - /
To all which it is but just to add, that he was a most valuable member of the University in all other respects as well as that of an instructor of youth, his PREFACE.xlii great talents qualifying him, and his unwearied zeal prompting him on all occasions to promote all its ci vil as well as literary interests.
39 - /
Such was the life of this worthy person, spent in a course of assiduous but not painful study, in continually doing good to the utmost of his power, and pro pagating truth, virtue, and religion among mankind. To conclude, he had uncommon abilities, uncommon virtues, and small failings, and these arising from good qualities; if he was at any time too much or too soon heated, it was owing to the quickness of his parts and sensibility of his temper; if his indignation was strong, it was only provoked by such baseness or malignity as his heart abhorred; if at any time he was open, when reserve might have been more proper, it proceeded from an honesty and sincerity of heart unaccustomed to dissemble. Some were displeased with his honest freedom, some might emulate his reputa tion, some traduce him thro' prejudice, some thro' bi gotry; but his parts, his spirit, and his worth, will be remembered, when any prejudices that were raised against him will be entirely forgotten.
40 - /
He was married, soon after his settlement in Du blin, to Mrs. Mary Wilson, a daughter of Francis Wilson, Esq; a gentleman of estate in the county of Langford, who distinguished himself at the Revolution as a Captain in the service of the late King William of glorious and immortal memory. He showed the same liberal and generous principles in this transaction, which appeared in all the other steps of his life. He had an abhorrence of that spirit of traffick which often mingles so deeply in forming this alliance: he was determined solely by the good sense, lovely dispositions, PREFACE.xliii and virtuous accomplishments of the lady: and the uniform happiness of their whole conjugal state justified the wisdom and virtue of his choice: he has left behind him one son, Francis Hutcheson, Doctor of Medicine, who gave early marks of genius, and is the publisher of this Work. If any one should wish to know any thing about Dr. Hutcheson's ex ternal form; it may be said it was an image of his mind. A stature above middle size, a gesture and manner negligent and easy, but decent and manly, gave a dignity to his appearance. His complexion was fair and sanguine, and his features regular. His countenance and look bespoke sense, spirit, kindness and joy of heart. His whole person and manner raised a strong prejudice in his favour at first sight.
41 - /
He was married, soon after his settlement in Du blin, to Mrs. Mary Wilson, a daughter of Francis Wilson, Esq; a gentleman of estate in the county of Langford, who distinguished himself at the Revolution as a Captain in the service of the late King William of glorious and immortal memory. He showed the same liberal and generous principles in this transaction, which appeared in all the other steps of his life. He had an abhorrence of that spirit of traffick which often mingles so deeply in forming this alliance: he was determined solely by the good sense, lovely dispositions, PREFACE.xliii and virtuous accomplishments of the lady: and the uniform happiness of their whole conjugal state justified the wisdom and virtue of his choice: he has left behind him one son, Francis Hutcheson, Doctor of Medicine, who gave early marks of genius, and is the publisher of this Work. If any one should wish to know any thing about Dr. Hutcheson's ex ternal form; it may be said it was an image of his mind. A stature above middle size, a gesture and manner negligent and easy, but decent and manly, gave a dignity to his appearance. His complexion was fair and sanguine, and his features regular. His countenance and look bespoke sense, spirit, kindness and joy of heart. His whole person and manner raised a strong prejudice in his favour at first sight.
42 - /
It only remains to be added, that it has been in tended, in any thing that is said of the Author's Philosophy, to deliver his sentiments without any regard to what may be the writer's own views of these sub jects. The Author was a lover of truth and freedom of thought, and did not wish that any one should espouse his opinions, farther than the evidence with which they were supported, determined him. There xliv PREFACE. appears thro' the work such a manifest aim of pro moting piety and virtue, and the good of mankind, that it is hoped the main of it must be approven of by all unprejudiced and well-disposed persons, however the writer of these memoirs or others may differ from the Author, as to particular sentiments, or the decision of particular questions.
43 - /
It only remains to be added, that it has been in tended, in any thing that is said of the Author's Philosophy, to deliver his sentiments without any regard to what may be the writer's own views of these sub jects. The Author was a lover of truth and freedom of thought, and did not wish that any one should espouse his opinions, farther than the evidence with which they were supported, determined him. There xliv PREFACE. appears thro' the work such a manifest aim of pro moting piety and virtue, and the good of mankind, that it is hoped the main of it must be approven of by all unprejudiced and well-disposed persons, however the writer of these memoirs or others may differ from the Author, as to particular sentiments, or the decision of particular questions.
44 - /
Some very good judges may think, and perhaps not without reason, that by any thing yet said, justice has not been done to Dr. Hutcheson's character as an author: „That he has been represented only as en quiring into the mind of man as a moral constitution, and asserting a distinct order of affections in it terminating ultimately on the good of others, and a Moral Sense, by which we instantaneously perceive a certain set of affections, characters, and actionsas good, and a contrary one as bad; all which is commonly done by that whole order of Philosophers who agree with him in admitting generous princi ples in human nature: whereas he justly deserves to be exhibited to the public in the light of an original, original in the most capital of all articles relative to the science of human nature and morality: PREFACE.xlv „for tho all the disciples of the generous philosophyassert, in the strongest manner, a distinct order of affections in our nature, having the happiness of others for their ultimate object, yet when the agent is put upon determining the most important measure of human conduct, Why am I to gratify this present desire? or why should I rather chuse to controul it in favour of another? the anser which this order of philosophers has given, is very different from that which is and must be given by Dr. Hutcheson: according to the former the agent is referred to the consideration of his personal happiness*(arising indeed from the prevalence of virtuous affections) as the determiner of his choice; taking it for granted, that there can be but one ultimate end of the agent's cool and deliberate pursuit, viz. his own highest interest or personal happiness: but Dr. Hutcheson's doctrine is far otherways; according to him, there are three calm determinations in our nature, namely, the calm desire of our own happiness, the calm desire of the happiness of other beings, and the calm desire of moral perfection,
* Shaft. Inq. from p. 77 to 174, and p. 69 middle sect. Lond. Ed.
xlvi PREFACE. „each of them alike ultimate; that betwixt the second and third determination there can scarce happen any opposition, but that it is quite otherwise betwixt the first and the other two, where an apparent opposition at least may often fall out, and in all such cases it is so far from being intended by the constitution of our nature, that the desire of private happiness should controul the other desires, that the Moral Sense never fails to dictate to the agent the voluntary sacrifice of the first, to either of the other two †: the whole is a question of fact, and every one must judge of it for himself: but the difference is the greatest imaginable, whether the desire of moral excellence, or the desire of private happiness is destined to be the supreme controuling principle according to the actual constitution of our na ture: and none of the Philosophers before our Author has ever hinted at such a representation of our nature as pleads for the former as the just account of the matter: nature has formed the union between the latter two of the three great ultimate de terminations of the human mind; but it is religion† Book I. chap. iv. § 12. of this work.
PREFACE.xlvii „alone, according to him, that can render all the three invariably harmonious, and incapable of acting in different and opposite directions.“45 - /
Some very good judges may think, and perhaps not without reason, that by any thing yet said, justice has not been done to Dr. Hutcheson's character as an author: „That he has been represented only as en quiring into the mind of man as a moral constitution, and asserting a distinct order of affections in it terminating ultimately on the good of others, and a Moral Sense, by which we instantaneously perceive a certain set of affections, characters, and actionsas good, and a contrary one as bad; all which is commonly done by that whole order of Philosophers who agree with him in admitting generous princi ples in human nature: whereas he justly deserves to be exhibited to the public in the light of an original, original in the most capital of all articles relative to the science of human nature and morality: PREFACE.xlv „for tho all the disciples of the generous philosophyassert, in the strongest manner, a distinct order of affections in our nature, having the happiness of others for their ultimate object, yet when the agent is put upon determining the most important measure of human conduct, Why am I to gratify this present desire? or why should I rather chuse to controul it in favour of another? the anser which this order of philosophers has given, is very different from that which is and must be given by Dr. Hutcheson: according to the former the agent is referred to the consideration of his personal happiness*(arising indeed from the prevalence of virtuous affections) as the determiner of his choice; taking it for granted, that there can be but one ultimate end of the agent's cool and deliberate pursuit, viz. his own highest interest or personal happiness: but Dr. Hutcheson's doctrine is far otherways; according to him, there are three calm determinations in our nature, namely, the calm desire of our own happiness, the calm desire of the happiness of other beings, and the calm desire of moral perfection,
* Shaft. Inq. from p. 77 to 174, and p. 69 middle sect. Lond. Ed.
xlvi PREFACE. „each of them alike ultimate; that betwixt the second and third determination there can scarce happen any opposition, but that it is quite otherwise betwixt the first and the other two, where an apparent opposition at least may often fall out, and in all such cases it is so far from being intended by the constitution of our nature, that the desire of private happiness should controul the other desires, that the Moral Sense never fails to dictate to the agent the voluntary sacrifice of the first, to either of the other two †: the whole is a question of fact, and every one must judge of it for himself: but the difference is the greatest imaginable, whether the desire of moral excellence, or the desire of private happiness is destined to be the supreme controuling principle according to the actual constitution of our na ture: and none of the Philosophers before our Author has ever hinted at such a representation of our nature as pleads for the former as the just account of the matter: nature has formed the union between the latter two of the three great ultimate de terminations of the human mind; but it is religion† Book I. chap. iv. § 12. of this work.
PREFACE.xlvii „alone, according to him, that can render all the three invariably harmonious, and incapable of acting in different and opposite directions.“