THEORY OF MORALS: AN INQUIRY CONCERNING THE LAW OF MORAL DISTINCTIONS AND THE VARIATIONS AND CONTRADICTIONS OF ETHICAL CODES. BY RICHARD HILDRETH. "For to say that a blind custom of obedience should be a surer obligation Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by RICHARD HILdreth, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. BM H64 ADVERTISEMENT. THIS is the first of six Treatises which collective ly I propose to entitle "RUDIMENTS OF THE SCIENCE OF MAN." They will be published in the following order: Theory of Morals, Theory of Politics, Theory of Wealth, Theory of Taste, Theory of Knowledge, Theory of Education. The peculiarity of these Treatises will consist in an attempt to apply rigorously and systematically to their several subjects the Inductive Method of Investigation, - a method which in Physical Science has proved successful beyond expectation; but which, hitherto, for powerful but temporary reasons, has been very partially employed, and, in consequence, with very small results, upon the yet nobler and more important Science of Man. The daily increasing interest with which that science is regarded, and the great social problems which depend upon it for solution, seem to demand for its several branches a more patient, thorough, comprehensive, experimental investigation, than they have yet received. Such will be the aim of these Treatises. However short of that aim I may fall, I shall at least claim the merit of an earnest, honest, thoughtful, laborious endeavour. BOSTON, April 5th, 1844. R. H. |