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

Daniel Floyd (University of Aberdeen)
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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…

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 19 March 2024.]

9757 Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, and Times 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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