An ethical treatise on the passions : founded on the principles investigated in the Philosophical treatise / by T. Cogan.

  • Cogan, T. (Thomas), 1736-1818.
Date:
1807-1810
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An ethical treatise on the passions : founded on the principles investigated in the Philosophical treatise / by T. Cogan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    and inflict upon the offender too severe a chas- tisement. Hence it is that we are most disposed to sympathise with the object of wrath, attempt to palliate his faults, or suggest motives of forbear- ance and compassion. 7. Desires. The nature, extent, and diversity of our desires, have been amply considered in our Analysis of the Passions. We shall only remark, as an evi- dence of their importance, that they are the most powerful stimulants to those changes and pursuits* which promise an addition to our present stock of comforts or supposed means of enjoyment, a liber- ation from whatever is painful and disagreeable in oiiF state, and protection from whatever threatens to be injurious. Surrounded as we are by an in- finitude of objects, each of which is capable of producing some augmentation, or diminution of good; plunged into an ocean of qualities, if j may thus express myself, either of a beneficial or pernicious tendency, the influence of our desires concerning them is extensive and unremitted. Our corporeal wants, the higher comforts and con- Teniences of life, our intellectual pursuits, social intercourse, with the claims andduties arising from it, the belief and expectancy of a future state, our peculiar sentiments, and even our doubts concern- ing religious subjects, all are perpetual sources of