Wollaston attempts to determine what rules for the conduct of life (that is, what religion) a conscientious and penetrating observer might derive simply from reasoning about the facts of the world around him, without benefit of divine revelation. He concludes that truth, reason, and morality coincide, and that the key to human happiness and ethical behavior is this: "let us by no act deny anything to be true which is true; that is: let us act according to reason."
This book was important to the intellectual foundations of the American Revolution (for example, the phrase "the pursuit of happiness" originates here). It also anticipates Kant's theory of the categorical imperative and the modern libertarian non-aggression principle.
This edition improves on its predecessors by, for the first time, providing both translations and sources for the over 650 footnotes that, in Wollaston's original, are cryptically attributed Greek, Hebrew, and Latin.
Perfect for readers who appreciate rigorous philosophical inquiry and timeless questions about morality and human nature. This influential work of Enlightenment thought offers profound insights into how reason alone can guide us toward ethical living and true happiness. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the philosophical foundations of natural religion and moral reasoning.