CONTENTS.

PREFACE.

CHARACTERISTICS of Socrates, why interesting

Lessons to be derived from his Philosophy.

Objects Socrates had in view, and means of attaining

PAGE

V

ib.

vi

ESSAY, &c.

Plainness of Socrates' Philosophy an objection to some,

Simplicity of his Mode of Teaching an objection to others,

Simplicity a thing of the most difficult attainment

Characteristics of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

Difficulty about the publication of Speculative Truth

Advantage of having a decision of this question from

Socrates

Socrates' three objects in his Religious Speculations

9

10

11

12

First, Socrates' Reverence for the Deity

Socrates' Summary of Practical Religion

Obligations from God's Power, Wisdom, and Goodness. 17

Obligation to God, wherein it consists

Can Obligation to the Deity be made a sufficient motive?
to uncivilized and civilized states?

ib.

18

to undisciplined and disciplined individuals? . 19

No evidence is more satisfactory than this

Obligation to the Deity ought to be made the very

ground-work of Policy

Ancient Lawgivers and modern Politicians
Irreligious, Superstitious, and Religious States
Religion necessary to the well-being of a State

ib.

Secondly, Socrates' Respect for the Religion of his

country

23

-not dictated by any common-place motive 24

Socrates never complied with any thing against his con-
science

Reasons for Socrates' compliance worth examining into,
Socrates' fear of decreasing men's Reverence for the
Deity.

25

ib.

26

225

Danger in differing from the Religion of our country 27

Distinction between Fiction and Falsehood not suf-
ficiently observed

Mythology less dangerous in one respect than Science 29

Important Truths in Heathen Mythology

Use of Mythology, and Danger of overthrowing it

30

ib.

Speculations not to be pushed to the injury of Practical

Truth.

Speculatists' error

The true use of Speculation, and its abuse

PAGE

How only the object of the Speculatist may be at-

tained.

Respect for the Belief and Worship of our country not

only prudent but pious

Important Truths found blended with Falsehood

35

36

Thirdly, Socrates' endeavour to remove Practical False-

hoods from the Religion of his country

Speculative Errors and Practical Falsehoods

Consequences of these to a State

The Authority of Divine Obligation lost

Divine Obligation must and will become the governing

36

38

39

40

principle; and how this may gradually be effected. 43

Practical Sincerity and Speculative Truth necessary

Dreadful Effects when the absence of these is discovered,

Sense of Divine Obligation necessary to Teachers, Gover-

nors, and People .

44

46

What can and what will be done

Misery of insincere and false Speculation

Great Difficulty of this, and Best Means of overcoming

Socrates' High Character

The Necessity of applying this Lesson to the present

times

Recapitulation of the Lesson to be applied

The Means by which the Lesson may be applied.

PACE

57

58

59

60

63

PREFACE.

In the course of an inquiry into the meaning and origin of the mysticism of Plato, my attention was arrested by some peculiar traits in the character of Socrates. These appeared to me deserving of a close examination, not only for the sanction they derive from the integrity and wisdom of Socrates' character, but on account of a remarkable analogy which subsists between the state of knowledge in Socrates' times, and in our own. Each period may be considered a transition-state from a relaxing authority to a more fully established

conviction.

The Politician, requiring obligations to prevent the dissolution of all the bonds of society;