Item 22 - Letter from Alexander Bain to Henry Sidgwick

1 doc

Discussion of Sidgwick's work on ethics [Methods of Ethics, 1874]. Congratulates him on choosing 'the least occupied ground of Ethics'. Comments on his view on ancient ethics, his comparison of 'Pleasure and Desire', his discussion on free will, his notion of common sense as the basis of utility, and his treatment of ethics in relation to 'the exaggerations of the Christian Morality'. Expresses a wish to review the work at greater length, but other work prevents him. Ends by congratulating Sidgwick on a 'perfect logical handling of every topic' and remarks that the work will 'bring to the test the condition of the speculative mind of our public at the present time'.