Elements of Morals / With Special Application of the Moral Law to the Duties of the Individual and of Society and the State

by Paul Janet

DUTIES RELATING TO THE INTELLECT.

SUMMARY.

Duties relative to the investigation of truth.—Of intellectual virtues: that there are such.

Of the three forms of the intellect: speculative, critical, practical. Hence, three principal qualities: knowledge, judgment or good sense, prudence.

Of knowledge.—Refutation of the objections to knowledge: Nicole, Malebranche and Rousseau.

General duty to cultivate one’s intellect: the impossibility of determining the full range of this duty.

Good sense or judgment.—Errors committed in ordinary life: sophisms of self-love, interest, and passion.—Other sophisms founded on false appearances.—Logical rules.

Of prudence or practical wisdom.—Can it be called a virtue? Particular rules.

Duties relative to telling the truth.—Lying.—Two kinds of lies: inward and outward lying.

Inward lying.—Can one lie to himself? Examples.