Paley's Moral Philosophy (1859)

Paley's Moral Philosophy is a book written by Richard Whately in 1859. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the moral philosophy of William Paley, an influential British theologian and philosopher of the 18th century. Whately's work explores Paley's ethical system, which is based on the idea that moral principles can be deduced from the observation of the natural world. The book is divided into two parts. The first part provides an overview of Paley's life and work, including his famous argument for the existence of God, known as the watchmaker analogy. Whately then delves into Paley's moral philosophy, examining his views on the nature of morality, the role of reason and intuition in moral decision-making, and the relationship between morality and religion. The second part of the book focuses on Paley's application of his moral principles to specific issues, such as the ethics of lying, the duty to help others, and the morality of war. Whately provides a detailed analysis of Paley's arguments and assesses their relevance to contemporary ethical debates. Overall, Paley's Moral Philosophy is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of moral philosophy, the relationship between morality and religion, and the application of ethical principles to real-world issues.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.