MORAL PHILOSOPHY is, "The science of MANNERS OF DUTY; which it traces from man's nature and condition, and shows to terminate in his happiness." In other words, it is "The knowledge of our DUTY and FELICITY;" or, "The art of being VIRTUOUS and HAPPY."
It is denominated an art, as it contains a system of rules for becoming virtuous and happy. Whoever practises these rules, attains an habitual power or facility of becoming virtuous and happy. It is likewise called a science, as it deduces those rules from the principles and connections of our nature, and proves that the observance of them is productive of our happiness.
It is an art, and a science, of the highest dignity, importance, and use. Its object is man's duty, or his conduct in the several moral capacities and connections which he sustains. Its office is to direct that conduct; to show whence our obligations arise, and where they terminate. Its use, or end, is the attainment of happiness; and the means it employs are rules for the right conduct of our moral powers.
Moral Philosophy has this in common with Natural Philosophy, that it appeals to nature or fact; depends on observation; and builds its reasonings on plain un-
controverted experiments, or upon the fullest induction of particulars of which the subject will admit. We must observe, in both these sciences, how nature is affected, and what her conduct is in such and such circumstances: Or, in other words, we must collect the appearances of nature in any given instance; trace these to some general principles or laws of operation; and then apply these principles or laws to the explaining of other phenomena.
Therefore Moral Philosophy inquires, not how man might have been, but how he is, constituted: not into what principles or dispositions his actions may be artfully resolved; but from what principles and dispositions they actually flow: not what he may, by education, habit, or foreign influence, come to be or do; but what, by his nature, or original constituent principles, he is formed to be and do. We discover the office, use, or destination of any work, whether natural or artificial, by observing its structure, the parts of which it consists, their connection or joint action. It is thus we understand the office and use of a watch, a plant, an eye, or hand. It is the same with a living creature of the rational or brute kind. Therefore, to determine the office, duty, or destination of man; or, in other words, what his business is, or what conduct he