Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1785. Excerpt: ... ... ' "..».::'. «'.:': PAR T II.. _,.., 'She Guilt of Suicide. TH E Subject before us may be resolved into two principal Inquiries: Is Man at Liberty to quit Life of his own accord? And, How far can it be the Interest of any man to hasten his departure out of Life? In other words, we are to inquire into the Guilt of Suicide; and, into the Folly or Imprudence of it; Its Guilt will appear more fully, by being seen in various lights. If in one view Suicide is perceived to be really and essentially Murder, if in another it discovers a train of pernicious Effects, consequent upon the Commission of it, if, in a third, the mere Approbation or Toleration of it, in the mind, (though not always formal and determinate,) appears likely to have a malignant influence upon the Principles of action, and to be the cause of Vice long before it ends in actual Suicide; each of these views will enable us to pronounce, that a person is not at Liberty to quit life of his own accord: and the conclusions, separately drawn, but concurring in the end, will be a confirmation of each other. But But there is one Consideration, distinct from all these, which ought not to be omitted in shewing the Guilt of Suicide. Although we should fail in every article of our proof, although it could be made probable that Suicide is void of Guilt; yet this would afford no sufficient ground toaSi upon. Let him who on the strength of mere Probability has the hardiness to proceed to such an act,--let him, before he strikes the fatal stroke, reflect a moment whether even the slightest Doubt that can remain in his breast ought not to restrain his hand. There are many cases in moral conduct, in which a person is pressed by difficulties on both sides: he can neither advance nor retire,-without a d...
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