Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. FREEDOM OF HUMAN ACTION. Ethics is the science of moral conduct. It is usually divided into Theoretical and Practical Ethics. Strictly speaking, the former is the science as presenting in systematic form the principles on which right moral action rests. The latter is the application of these principles to human conduct, and consists mainly of rules for the regulation of this conduct. Though a brief survey of the underlying principles seems essential to a clear understanding of the subject, this volume will be devoted chiefly to Practical Ethics. There are certain terms in constant use in our language, and corresponding terms in other languages, to which one attaches definite meanings: such as innocence i,7 i Terms imply and guilt, condemnation, approval and disap- ingfree proval, responsibility, good and evil conduct. But a&ency, these terms really mean nothing unless our actions are free; that is, determined by ourselves and uncaused by any extraneous power. The very definition of an action would imply this. This definition is as follows: -- An act or action in the strict sense of the words, is the intentional putting forth of an effort by an intelligent being, or one capable of setting before him an object or end, and the means of achieving it. This implies a personality, that is, a what is an Will, and freedom in its exercise. This putting 8011 forth is by the power of the Will, and is known as Volition. But it involves more than this; namely, the selection of the object to be accomplished in preference to any other. This is the power of Choice, and implies a purpose or intention. The fact that there are certain philosophers now, as there have been in the past, who insist upon the theory that man is not free, that..."