Elements of Moral Science

by James Beattie

Important in the history of the Scottish Enlightenment and 18th-century literature and thought, James Beattie (1735-1803) was a figure of high reputation and influence in a variety of fields, including philosophy, poetry, belles-lettres, education, language and religion. He varied and valuable works in prose and verse are presented here. They form important source documents for all scholars of 18th-century thought. Each features a comprehensive introduction by Beattie scholar Professor Roger J. Robinson.

This work contains Beattie's thoughts on the whole range of issues which he had pondered throughout his life. This work therefore conveys a fuller account of his ideas as a philosopher, poet, man of letters, moralist and Christian apologist than can be found either in his own prose or his letters.

1168 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

James Beattie was a Scottish poet, moralist and philosopher. He was professor of Moral Philosophy and Logic at Marischal College, Aberdeen.

He became schoolmaster of the parish of Fordoun in 1753. He took the position of usher at the grammar-school of Aberdeen in 1758.

In 1760, he was, to his surprise, appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy at Marischal College (later part of Aberdeen University) as a result of the influence exerted by his close friend, Robert Arbuthnot of Haddo. In the following year he published a volume of poems, The Judgment of Paris (1765), which attracted attention. The two works, however, which brought him most fame were An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth, and his poem of The Minstrel. The Essay, intended as an answer to David Hume, had great immediate success, and led to an introduction to the King, a pension of £200, and the degree of LL.D. from Oxford. The first book of The Minstrel was published in 1771 and the second in 1774.

Beattie was prominent in arguing against the institution of slavery, notably in his Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth (1770), and in Elements of Moral Science (1790 - 1793).