N05663:53
A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of…
A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of will, which is supposed to be essential to moral agency, virtue and vice, reward and punishment, praise and blame. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the church in Stockbridge. ; [One line from Romans]A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of will, which is supposed to be essential to moral agency, vertue and vice, reward and punishment, praise and blame. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the church in Stockbridge. ; [One line from Romans]
printed by S. Kneeland, 1754
Part 1 › Section 2: Concerning the Determination of the Will.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In this Case, all other Things being equal, the Agreeableness of a proposed Object of Choice will be in a Degree some Way compounded of the Degree of Good supposed by the Judgment, the Degree of apparent Probability or Certainty of that Good, and the Degree of the View or Sense, or Liveliness of the Idea the Mind has, of that Good; because all together concur to constitute the Degree in which the Object appears at present agreeable; and accordingly Volition will be determined.
In this Case, all other Things being equal, the Agreableness of a proposed Object of Choice will be in a Degree some Way compounded of the Degree of Good supposed by the Judgment, the Degree of apparent Probability or Certainty of that Good, and the Degree of the View or Sense, or Liveliness of the Idea the Mind has, of that Good; because all together concur to constitute the Degree in which the Object appears at present agreable; and accordingly Volition will be determined.
I might further observe, the State of the Mind that views a proposed Object of Choice, is another Thing that contributes to the Agreeableness or Disagreeableness of that Object; the particular Temper which the Mind has by Nature, or that has been introduced and established by Education, Example, Custom, or some other Means; or the Frame ⟨p. 11⟩or State that the Mind is in on a particular Occasion. That Object which appears agreeable to one, does not so to another. And the same Object don't always appear alike agreeable to the same Person, at different Times. It is most agreeable to some Men, to follow their Reason; and to others, to follow their Appetites: To some Men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious Inclination, than to gratify it; Others it suits best to gratify the vilest Appetites. 'Tis more disagreeable to some Men than others, to counter-act a former Resolution. In these Respects, and many others which might be mentioned, different Things will be most agreeable to different Persons; and not only so, but to the same Persons at different Times.