Characteristicks

Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times by Anthony Ashley Cooper, the Third Earl of Shaftesbury, is a collection of essays that explores themes of ethics, morality, and aesthetics within the context of early Enlightenment thought. Originally published in 1711 and presented here in a later edition, Shaftesbury's work advocates for a moral philosophy grounded in natural sentiment and reason. His essays champion virtue as an intrinsic good and critique the prevailing social and political norms of his time. This seminal work offers valuable insights into the intellectual landscape of the 18th century and continues to be relevant for its contributions to ethical theory and political philosophy.

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