Rhetorical Analysis of the Declaration of Independence Essays

Quang Thai Professor Allison English 101 2 September 2014 Rhetorical Analysis In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, explains to his readers why the colonies chose to abolish Great Britain’s government. His goal is to inform the readers that the government has certain responsibilities to the governed and that the British failed to adhere to its responsibilities to its colonists. His second goal is to justify their actions by explaining why it was not considered treason. By establishing his credibility and appealing to ethos, pathos and logos, Jefferson successfully wrote an informative, impactful, and inspirational document. In order for Jefferson to earn his readers’†¦show more content†¦In Jefferson’s declaration, both the organization and the use of logic are effective and adequate. He begins with the colonists’ fundamental beliefs that â€Å"all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.† He addresses that the role of the government is to secure and protect the rights of the people. As he proceeds, he states that if the government fails to â€Å"secure these rights,† then â€Å"it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and institute new Government.† Jefferson then creates a list of ways in which the British government has violated and stripped the colonists of their rights. Through the inductive proof, he explains the reason in which the colonists must become independent from Britain to gain freedom and to be treated fairly. The list of grievances strongly appeals to his audience’s emotions. Jefferson utilizes a powerful, emotional diction to implement the colonists’ sentiments toward the King’s character into his writing. He uses certain words such as tyrants, invasions, murders, abdicated, death, desolation, cruelty, barbarous, and destruction. These words make the audience establish a sympathetic feeling towards the colonists and that the King is â€Å"totally unworthy [to be] the Head of a civilized nation† and â€Å"unfit to be the ruler of a free people.† Jefferson emphatically proves the injustice and brutality of the King and Parliament.Show MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence.1343 Words   |  6 PagesRhetorical Analysis of the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is arguably the most important historical work of the pre-modern era. Because of this document, America was recognized for its brash, albeit just demands for independence from Britain. Aside from the obvious historical significance and precedence of the document, its composition was constructed in such a way that conveyed the determination of a new nation to be one in its own. Historical context and rhetoricalRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis1639 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Declaration of Independence† Rhetorical Analysis Essay Composed by Thomas Jefferson and the representatives in the general congress on the historic date of July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was an expeditious response to the many acts legalized by the British Parliament prohibiting the colonists’ freedom, and a dismissal of a partition to the King by the First Continental Congress. Not only did it oppose British acts of tyranny, but it was also an incentive for many other universalRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence1678 Words   |  7 PagesState the purpose, the audience, the tone, and the speaker of the declaration The purpose is to outline the wrongs the King of Britain and Britain have committed against the colonists, and why this has caused them to want to separate from Britain. The article is written directly for King George III, but it was also for the country of Britain and the thirteen colonies to read, as well as the world to see the separation of the colonies from Britain. The tone is clear and rational, yet it is evidentRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis830 Words   |  4 Pagesdrafting The Declaration of Independence. Jeffersons belief in the aspects of natural law played a huge influence on the reasoning behind The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independences Preamble is a significant appeal to logos on the grounds of egalitarianism and natural law. His many appeals to logic set the basis for why he believes the thirteen colonies need to secede from Great Britain. Appeals to Pathos: Thomas Jefferson and the drafters of The Declaration of Independence madeRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis800 Words   |  4 Pages the father of our Declaration of Independence, had the same mentality as him in seeking for freedom. Jefferson decided to write this document as a way of declaring the independence of the United States from Britain. In the document, he states all the harm that Britain has done to the colonists: socially, mentally, and economically. Jefferson just like the colonist wanted peace in their lives, and freedom from the tyranny of King George III. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson usesRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis804 Words   |  4 Pages In the second paragraph of The Declaration of Independence is one of historys most regularly quoted passages. â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.† (Jefferson) The Declaration motivated the colonist to seek independence from from the King of Great Britain. Even though the Declaration was trying to point out a positive outcomeRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Slavery In The Declaration Of Independence708 Words   |  3 Pages In his letter he mentioned how freedom was a blessing from heaven, cited a part from the Declaration of Independence, and even made a reference to someone in the Bible. He used many rhetorical strategies to help argue that slavery should be outlawed, for example ethos, religious appeals, and pathos. Mr. Banneker in the second paragraph established ethos by citing a part of the Declaration of Independence. He cited the part about â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are createdRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Franklin s The Declaration Of Independence 1116 Words   |  5 Pagesparticularly in the post 9/11 era, it is an ongoing debate as to whether we should be trading some or all of our liberty for security. In the 1770’s, our founding fathers declared their independence from the British. They gave up the protection and economic security they gained from the British Empire. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote: We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights;Read MoreRhetorical Analysis Essay: Cunt, a Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio1026 Words   |  5 PagesInga Muscio is a very influential writer. Over the years she has earned tremendous credibility within the feminist world. In the chapter, â€Å"Rape not Cunt,† from her well known book Cunt, a Declaration of Independence, Inga passionately writes of her feelings about violence against women. She attempts to use rhetoric and captures the reader with a call of action to help prevent further violence against women. However, although Inga Muscio had many valid points about violence against women, her rhetoricRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass Context1479 Words   |  6 PagesWith his oratorical appeals, in 1852, Douglass delivered a speech that changed the views of millions over the Fourth of July. By using th e experience Douglas has encountered as a slave, the historical context to support his argument and certain rhetorical devices, Douglass remarks a speech in order for the citizens of Rochester to be aware of the hypocrisy of American Slavery. Research As a child, Douglass escaped the harshness of field labor and was transferred to Baltimore where he was taught by

Essay about Kant´s Philosophy of Ethics - 1823 Words

In the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant proposes his philosophy of ethics. In order to accurately approach this topic and present fluent deduction he begins by defining philosophy into three fields. There is â€Å"Physics† of which studies the physical world, there is â€Å"Ethics† of which is the study of morality and finally there is logic of which serves to study logical principles. Kant then divides the studying into two parts as well, separating it as either â€Å"empirical† (serving to study experiences) or â€Å"pure† (serving to study concepts). As Kant uses this work to achieve a certain goal it is important to note that within the text he is proposing a pure study of morality, for morality is applied to all rational beings and†¦show more content†¦When driven to undertake an action for the necessity of something such as the attainment of personal happiness or anything else less than universal it is referred to by Ka nt as a â€Å"hypothetical imperative.† Kant then explains that this should be thought of as discouraging for moral principles are derived from reason and not from experience. For moral principles cannot come from experience as experience itself is contingent to circumstance. Conversely, moral require absolute validity and is independent from all circumstances. For this reason, it is possible for it to be applied to all circumstances and this is defined by Kant to be the â€Å"categorical imperative†. The categorical imperative operates upon the same methodology as the moral law and it is similarly violated by those who believe who apply â€Å"double standards†. The categorical imperative may further be identified as a requirement to not treat other rational beings as means, for Kant expresses that all rational beings contain the ability of pursuing goals, but never consider themselves as only a means to another purpose for their actions are ultimately taken on their own behalf and are ends in themselves. To treat others as a means would contradict the reality of all rational beings serving as ends inShow MoreRelatedKant And Kant s Philosophy On Ethics970 Words   |  4 PagesEthics, What is it? many a man have asked the same question. A dictionary describes ethics as-moral principles that govern a person s or group s behavior. Is there a universal ethical behavior ? Are all countries ethical ? Theses very same questions many philosophers have tried to figure through time from Socrates to Immanuel kant (and to this very day for the matter!). While comparing two great eathist Plato and Immanuel Kant I, the writer argue that Kant s ideological views on ethics were farRead MoreKant s Philosophy On Ethics1213 Words   |  5 PagesKant lived in an era where utilitarianism was becoming a widespread philosophical ideal, in which the group was valued greater than the individual. However, Kant argued that every individual has inherent value sta ting, â€Å"a human being †¦ exists as an end in itself, not merely as a means for the discretionary use for this or that will, but must in all its actions†¦ always be considered at the same time as an end† (Groundwork 4:428). This claim that every individual possesses inherent value presupposesRead MoreKant s Philosophy : Kantian Ethics1290 Words   |  6 PagesProfessor Fassbender Philosophy 201N April 26, 2015 Kantian Ethics Society, as we know it, is only possible through humans acting in accordance with a universal moral code. Because we as humans are rational beings and have free choice, we can make our own decisions, can hold ourselves to a standard that we ourselves set, and can act in accordance with our standards, as well as set standards for our own society. However, these standards must be held, otherwise they hold no meaning. Kant uses a black andRead MoreKant s Philosophy Of Ethics And Moral Reasoning1432 Words   |  6 Pageshis book, â€Å"Critique of Practical Reason,† Immanuel Kant outlines his philosophy of ethics and moral reasoning. He introduces the reader to the Fundamental Law of Pure Practical Reason in chapter one of the Analytic. The Universal Law is a categorical imperative, which states: â€Å"So act that the maxim of your will could always hold at the same time as a principle in a giving of universal law† (Kant, 1993, p. 30). Like other nonconsequentialists, Kant is much more concerned with the motive behind an actionRead MoreDifferences Between Plato s And Kant1184 Words   |  5 Pagesdeveloping personal ethics, but each thinker approaches this universal question using different principles. Plato uses Socrates’ dialogue to assess how one acquires wisdom through the acknowledgement of inherent ignorance. Kant evaluates the causes of people remaining in willful ignorance and the methods by which they can lift themselves out of such a state into enlightenment. Before comparing these two philosophers, one must recognize that both have displayed differences in ethics, as some call oneRead MoreThe Role Of Happiness On Kant s And Mill s Ethics1712 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Happiness in Kant s and Mill s Ethics Corey Guitard (0241740) Introduction to Ethics November 18th, 2015 Philosophy 2701 Dr. Rupen Majithia Words: Immanuel Kant refers to happiness as contentment (Kant, ) whereas John Stuart Mill refers to it as the pursuit of pleasure and the absence of pain (Mill, p.7). Kant does not base his ethics on happiness. Instead, he argues that morality is based on our duty as a human (Kant, ). To do what is right for Kant is to do what is instinctuallyRead MoreKantian Ethics And The Categorical Imperative Essay1581 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Kantian Ethics and critiques In Elements of Pure Practical Reason Book, I, Immanuel Kant, a prominent late Enlightenment Era German philosopher discusses his most famous ethical theory, the â€Å"Categorical Imperative.† The â€Å"Categorical Imperative† is a proposed universal law in stating all humans are forbidden from certain actions regardless of consequences. Although this is the general definition of this ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative† exists in two above formulations, A strictRead MoreThe Between Utilitarianism And Deontology1345 Words   |  6 Pageswhat is morally just? Immanuel Kant, the founder of Deontology, along with Jeremy Bentham and James Mills, the founders of Utilitarianism, all attempted to answer this question. Bentham and Mills’ Utilitarianism stresses maximizing pleasure and happiness in the world over pain and unhappiness. In contrast, Kant’s Deontology focuses on honoring duties and obligations. A moral action must be â€Å"considered right and good by most people† (Merriam-Webster). The way Kant proposes that one achieves happinessRead MoreThe Ethical Concepts Of Kantian Ethics Essay1043 Words   |  5 PagesConsequences Introduction The philosophy of Kant has become a turning point in the development of the Western thinking and worldview. His innovative and progressive ideas have strongly contributed to the formation of a new paradigm of the universe and role of humans in it. A great role in Kant’s studies belongs to the analysis of ethics, morality and law as the main regulators of the human behavior in the society Kant is known as the founder of the deontological ethics (Kantianism), which presentsRead MoreLying, By Jeremy Bentham1613 Words   |  7 Pagesthe more you do it the more comfortable one may become. Lying becomes a habit to many people, a habit they have a hard time breaking. Lying can simply be defined in one word, deception. Jeremy Bentham who is a British philosopher in the 1700’s and early 1800’s believed in the principle of utility otherwise known as utilitarianism. Jeremy Bentham thinks it’s permissible to tell a small lie because in the long run Bentham is looking for the ultimate amount of happiness. Bentham believes in the greatest

Beauty as a Crude Trap of Standardisation in the US Example For Students

Beauty as a Crude Trap of Standardisation in the US Beauty Has Become a Crude Trap Americans have developed a perceptual experience sing how issues should be standardized. Among the issues is beauty, it has attracted a batch of attending from work forces and adult females. It has become a rough trap that all factors rotate about. The standardisation facet is based on honing the bodily visual aspect. This paper will look into assorted facets that surround the topic by looking at texts written by assorted writers. Among the texts are Male Privileges, Oprah Magazines reappraisals and a movie by Darryl Roberts. The procedure have resulted in a deeply frozen civilization where slim is preferred over thin organic structure forms. Media has aided in infiltrating images to people’s heads on how the modern adult female should look like. Many ladies have developed curious eating wonts and regular exercisings to maintain them in their coveted forms. Research has shown that they are challenged to maintain up with altering tendencies to avoid being secluded the environme nt and more so their equals. The most affected persons are ladies. Over the old ages, a woman’s beauty has been adored and cherished by many as the absolute signifier in which every adult female should be shaped like. The media has continuously engaged in activities that promote the close perfect organic structure form and visual aspect Harmonizing to the movie â€Å"American the Beautiful, † Darryl Roberts tries to calculate out the penetrations on the American’s and their compulsion in achieving standard beauty. He discovered that plastic surgery is one on the ways used by many persons to achieve it. It is used to heighten their organic structure image and their face visual aspect. Many people pursue fictile surgeries in different parts in the US despite the fact that many of them have non been credited to execute such processs. Womans try to mime the magazine images and the theoretical account visual aspects in chase of standard beauty. Roberts continues his interview by demoing the audience assorted stairss taken by the manufacturers in bring forthing the extremely standardised images. The image is closely emended and to convey a wholly different character from the persons personal visual aspect. He uses this to demo that there is no that one individual with a definite beauty in the universe, even the top theoretical accounts have their flairs. Beauty facets have kept adult females occupied with most of their clip dedicated to keeping perfect organic structure and visual aspect. They carry make-up for their bags and use it whenever they get a opportunity to make it. This has led to increased disbursals when compared to their male opposite numbers. Work forces have little to worry about by their visual aspect. They are protected by the male privileges which constitute of their strengths in doing them superior to adult females. Male Privileges Harmonizing to Peggy McIntosh, ( 1 ) males do non necessitate to worry about their visual aspec t every bit much as females. The work environment or societal topographic points of interaction provide the perfect topographic point where male privileges are exhibited. One of the challenges of such conditions is that male and female stereotypes play functions. The society has been manipulated into believing that males should bask their privileges. McIntosh states that males have dominated the universe in many facets. He states that males do non confront a batch of unfavorable judgment compared to females in the work environment in they both fail to present on their responsibilities, and their gender will non be associated with their failure. Males occupy most of the top occupations in the organisation, and they ever protect their ain. The challenges to males to maintain up with other people’s outlooks are slender compared to the females. The few outlooks from the society have enabled the society preponderantly controlled by males. Males have fewer disbursals when it comes to their grooming regimen and keeping standard beauty. They do non necessitate make-up at all times, extinguishing the unneeded disbursals. Beauty is farther enhanced by apparels and jewellery in which it comes inexpensive to work forces compared to adult females in the same societal category. For males, they have readily available vesture that absolutely fits them without farther tailoring compared to females. McIntosh farther provinces that females are sacrificed or endure a batch at the disbursal of males. He uses the household puting to explicate how household jobs are shared between males and females. Womans are given insistent and prosecuting undertakings while work forces take saving responsibilities that are performed after a piece. Finally, he concludes that males enjoy the privileges by being unaware of them. The sentiments clearly show that the society has allowed these wonts to go on without major challenges from the females, taking to a male dominated universe. Oprah Ma gazine Editors The magazine editors have faced unfavorable judgment from poet on how they carry their column on the O magazine. Aracelis Girmay is one of the poets that were non satisfied with the manner she was featured in the magazine ( 1 ) . Harmonizing to her, she thought that they the editors were more concentrated on her plants compared to her visual aspect. She states that poet’s success is non supposed to be determined on by his/her visual aspect instead than by their plants. Their work is relaying a message to assorted audiences. Girmay is devastated on how the editors featured her in the magazine by non sing her accomplishments in the poetic universe. During the exposure shoot and the interview she got a different image from the editors who seemed to cognize much of her plants but they merely gave her three sentences on the magazine. David Orr is another critic of the Oprah Magazine on their column on Rising Young Poets ( 1 ) . These columns contain images of immatu re attractive poets on their screen. They are envisioned wearing expensive outfits to be featured in the column that besides features along manner tendencies. The acceptance of images and beautiful images is aimed to sell to the planetary Oprah community that has a definite gustatory sensation. The editors have to maintain up with the modern tendencies where beauty sells in every facet. The editors have their audience in head when presenting the magazines to the market. Their users have outlooks that are non understood by the poets, and the different outlooks are the root of all these challenges. Jessica Winter, a New York Times editorialist, is shocked by poets have oning expensive apparels to look on Oprah’s Magazine. She states that there should be a clear differentiation between poesy and the manner universe. She criticizes sentiments by Orr on his perceptual experience towards manner and poesy. Puting on brassy costumes is regarded as girly to a male dominated the poetic universe. This is the generation of all contention ; it inquiries the ability of adult females bing their male opposite numbers in composing top category verse form. Such cases show that stereotypes are non stoping anytime shortly. The males have immersed their musculuss in about all activities in this universe and are embraced as the exclusive innovators to everything. The state of affairs worsens when males are accredited a batch when they give a shooting on female-dominated activities compared to females. Male privileges are to fault for the society instability that has resulted in the standardisation of many facets to females with beauty being the precedence. Females go to extreme steps to pacify work forces who control many sectors. In the movie â€Å"American the Beauty† Roberts interviews an person who left his girlfriend to prosecute a more beautiful than the initial 1. The society perceptual experiences have eroded the household values that have been there for coeva lss where people married for different grounds compared to now. The fat misss face a hard clip interacting with other people. Research shows that fleshy misss enroll in exercising activities and rigorous diets that are supposed to cut down their organic structure size. Fat people are treated as foreigners and face an alienated societal life with few friends. The state of affairs is farther worsened when the person is female. Eroding the male privileges can merely be done through a planetary revolution that will sabotage them and convey equality. The authorities has pushed for gender equality by implementing reforms. This is the first measure to a successful revolution that will be achieved after a long period. However, the females seem comfy in their topographic point in the society, and they have continuously supported the privileges to a point that the males are incognizant they exist. Therefore, males will ever use beauty as a petroleum trap. .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 , .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .postImageUrl , .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 , .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:hover , .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:visited , .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:active { border:0!important; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:active , .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5 .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u80eb9736c1a9965b64f90fd0cd95b0c5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Conduct of internal audit EssayPlants Cited Girmay, Aracelis, David Orr and Jessica Winter. Editorial Magazine. Oprah Magazine( 2011 ) : 1-3. McIntosh, Peggy.Male Privilege checklists( n.d. ) . Roberts, Darryl.America the Beautiful( 2007 ) .

ONE Considerable Advantage That Arises From Philosophy, Consists In Th

ONE considerable advantage that arises from Philosophy, consists in the sovereign antidote which it affords to superstition and false religion. All other remedies against that pestilent distemper are vain, or at least uncertain. Plain good sense and the practice of the world, which alone serve most purposes of life, are here found ineffectual: History as well as daily experience furnish instances of men endowed with the {2} strongest capacity for business and affairs, who have all their lives crouched under slavery to the grossest superstition. Even gaiety and sweetness of temper, which infuse a balm into every other wound, afford no remedy to so virulent a poison; as we may particularly observe of the fair sex, who tho' commonly possest of their rich presents of nature, feel many of their joys blasted by this importunate intruder. But when found Philosophy has once gained possession of the mind, superstition is effectually excluded, and one may fairly affirm that her triumph over th is enemy is more complete than over most of the vices and imperfections incident to human nature. Love or anger, ambition or avarice, have their root in the temper and affection, which the soundest reason is scarce ever able fully to correct, but superstition being founded on false opinion, must immediately vanish when true philosophy has inspired juster sentiments of superior powers. The contest is here more equal between the distemper and the medicine, {3} and nothing can hinder the latter from proving effectual but its being false and sophisticated. IT will here be superfluous to magnify the merits of Philosophy by displaying the pernicious tendency of that vice of which it cures the human mind. ([editor's note] 1) The superstitious man says Tully2 is miserable in every scene, in every incident in life; even sleep itself, which banishes all other cares of unhappy mortals, affords to him matter of new terror; while he examines his dreams, and finds in those visions of the night prognostications of future calamities. I may add that tho' death alone can put a full period to his misery, he dares not fly to this refuge, but still prolongs a miserable existence from a vain fear left he offend his Maker, by using the power, with which that beneficent being has endowed him. The presents of God and nature are ravished from us by this {4} cruel enemy, and notwithstanding that one step would remove us from the regions of pain and sorrow, her menaces still chain us down to a hated being which she herself chiefly contributes to render misera ble. 'TIS observed by such as have been reduced by the calamities of life to the necessity of employing this fatal remedy, that if the unseasonable care of their friends deprive them of that species of Death which they proposed to themselves, they seldom venture upon any other, or can summon up so much resolution a second time as to execute their purpose. So great is our horror of death, that when it presents itself under any form, besides that to which a man has endeavoured to reconcile his imagination, it acquires new terrors and overcomes his feeble courage: But when the menaces of superstition are joined to this natural timidity, no wonder it quite deprives men of all power over their lives, since even many pleasures and enjoyments, {5} to which we are carried by a strong propensity, are torn from us by this inhuman tyrant. Let us here endeavour to restore men to their native liberty, by examining all the common arguments against Suicide, and shewing that that action may be free from every imputation of guilt or blame, according to the sentiments of all the antient philosophers. ([editor's note] 2) IF Suicide be criminal, it must be a transgression of our duty either to God, our neighbour, or ourselves. -- To prove that suicide is no transgression of our duty to God, the following considerations may perhaps suffice. In order to govern the material world, the almighty Creator has established general and immutable laws, by which all bodies, from the greatest planet to the smallest particle of matter, are maintained in their proper sphere and function. To govern the animal world, he has endowed all living