Anthony Ashley Cooper, Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, and Times

Daniel Floyd (University of Aberdeen)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.05: English Writing and Culture from the Glorious Revolution to the French Revolution, 1689-1789.
Vol. editors: Paul Baines (University of Liverpool), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Pat Rogers (University of South Florida), Nicholas Seager (University of Keele)

Domains

Philosophy (any)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1711

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Treatise

Resources

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Shaftesbury’s

Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times

, a three-volume collection of essays on interrelated moral and aesthetic themes, was first published in 1711 and became one of the most influential books of the eighteenth-century. In it Shaftesbury put forward a philosophy founded upon his belief in the innateness of human virtue, a general tendency toward benevolence, and an aversion to injustice or cruelty. These ideas became central tenets of the Enlightenment and Shaftesbury’s writings had considerable influence on moral and aesthetic philosophy throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A second edition of the

Characteristicks

, with iconographic engravings by Simon Gribelin, appeared in 1715 (although the title page is dated 1714). At least nine more…

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3381 words

Citation: Floyd, Daniel. "Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, and Times". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 June 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=9757, accessed 23 November 2024.]