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.

    665/828 (page 339)
    Jy hope has soothed the anguish of disappoint- ment, consoled for the loss of liberty, and gild- ed the horrors of a dungeon ! These considerations united, powerfully evince that a chaste imagination well deserves to enjoy the pleasures it communi- cates. To the advantages and pleasures which may be derived from the free exercise of our own7^o///zo;z> all men are disposed to bear testimony. It is the desire to monopolize these advantages which con- stitutes the Tyrant. This desire lies at the founda- tion of all his plans, and stimulates to all his ac- tions. A privation of this power constitutes the horrors of slavery. Nor can the garbs of splen- dour, and all the external trappings of greatness, be deemed, by the liberal mind, any recompence for the loss of self-determination ; for the irksome- ness of being perpetually at the beck of another; a servant to his capricious will, without being able, or daring to oppose its dictates. Freedom of Volition is essential to conscious dignity; it is necessary to give realitij to every a/;- parerii y'lrtue i and this alone entitles beneficent deeds to the award of approbation. By the want of this freedom, we are rendered incapable of fol- I lowing our own best ideas, in the pursuit of our own well-being. We are restrained from gratify-