Exposition of the doctrine of interest.—What there is of truth
in this doctrine.—Its defects. 1st. It confounds liberty and
desire, and thereby abolishes liberty. 2d. It cannot explain the
fundamental distinction between good and evil. 3d. It cannot
explain obligation and duty. 4th. Nor right. 5th. Nor the
principle of merit and demerit.—Consequences of the ethics of
interest: that they cannot admit a providence, and lead to
despotism.
The ethics of sentiment.—The ethics founded on the principle of
the interest of the greatest number.—The ethics founded on the
will of God alone.—The ethics founded on the punishments and
rewards of another life.
Description of the different facts that compose the moral
phenomena.—Analysis of each of these facts:—1st, Judgment and
idea of the good. That this judgment is absolute. Relation
between the true and the good.—2d, Obligation. Refutation of the
doctrine of Kant that draws the idea of the good from obligation
instead of founding obligation on the idea of the good.—3d,
Liberty, and the moral notions attached to the notion of
liberty.—4th, Principle of merit and demerit. Punishments and
rewards.—5th, Moral sentiments.—Harmony of all these facts in
nature and science.
Application of the preceding principles.—General formula of
interest,—to obey reason.—Rule for judging whether an action is
or is not conformed to reason,—to elevate the motive of this
action into a maxim of universal legislation.—Individual ethics.
It is not towards the individual, but towards the moral person
that one is obligated. Principle of all individual duties,—to
respect and develop the moral person.—Social ethics,—duties of
justice and duties of charity.—Civil society. Government. Law.
The right to punish.