Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion: corrected and improved, in a third edition. Several essays added concerning the proof of a deity; [bound with:] Loose Hints upon Education, chiefly concerning the culture of the heart. Second Edition, Enlarged.

Edinburgh: Printed for John Bell; and John Murray [& Geo. Robinson, for Loose Hints],, 1779 & 1782. Third edition, corrected and expanded by the author, the final and definitive text, of Kames's most important philosophical work, his Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion; bound with the second edition, likewise enlarged, of his educational treatise Loose Hints Upon Education. First published in 1751, the Essays "produced a furore among the more high-flying members of the Scottish church, and there were some who wished to see the author excommunicated. Kames's friendship with, and support for, David Hume made him a target, although the Essays were not an uncritical endorsement of Hume's views. Kames's fault was to suggest that man had a 'deceitful... feeling of liberty' (Ross, 103) - that all was determined, but that this was not evident to men who made choices as if they were free. At the general assembly of the Church of Scotland in May 1755 Kames escaped censure by name as that body contented itself with generalities. However, the controversy did cause Kames to rethink some of his more controversial opinions" (ODNB). Loose Hints Upon Education was first published the previous year, and was Kames's last major work, "which with its emphasis on training to develop sensibility unsurprisingly drew the criticism that it showed a lack of respect to Christianity" (ibid.). The heart, rather than the head, should be the focus of education, developing character rather than simply piling in knowledge. 2 works in 1 volume, octavo (202 x 127 mm). Contemporary marbled calf, red morocco label, brown speckled edges. A few minor scratches to calf, light foxing to contents without marking, very minor nick or chip to a few page extremities; a very good copy. ESTC N8388 & T55415.