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CONTENTS

OF THE

SECOND VOLU M E.

PART II.

ON THE WISDOM OF THE CREATOR.

Introduction. Statement of the Attributes. Modes

of proving them à priori, and from the Works

of the Creation

Page 13

CHAP. I.

On the Wisdom of the Creator

......

Page 18

Instances from the few Principles employed to execute his
Purposes in the natural World. Attraction, Gasses,
Rarefaction, Condensation, &c.

Probability, that similar Laws extend to the human Race

CHAP. II.

On the Design of the Creator as to Man's Ex-

istence upon Earth

Page 27

...

That he might exercise his Faculties and Virtues. Proof,

from the improvable Reason which distinguishes Man-

kind from all other Animals.

Remarks on the Fallacy

of the Scale of Existence. Faculty of Improvement
useless, without a Situation fit to call it forth.

Purpose of this Improvement, a higher State of Existence.
Proofs from Reason and Revelation.
Statement of the proposed Argument.

CHAP. III.

Whether Equality or Inequality of Ranks and

Fortunes is the Situation best suited to the

Developement and Improvement of the human

Faculties

Page 41

Proofs in favour of Inequality: from the low State of
Society wherever Equality exists. North and South
Americans. Reason of this analyzed. Effects of Ex-
ample, and Emulation, arising from Division of Pro-
perty. Instances from Pelew Islanders. Progress of
Civilization. Superiority of civilized Life.

Contrary Opinion of Godwin considered. Desire of bet-

tering the individual Condition, shown to be the only

Spur of Industry. Case of Sparta considered; and of

Peru. Use of Slaves in those Communities. Conclu-

sion in favour of unequal Fortunes, Ranks, and Con-

ditions.

CHAP. IV.

Whether Equality or Inequality of Ranks and

Fortunes is the Condition best suited to the

Exercise of Virtue

Page 92

Effect of a Community of Goods upon the Opportunities
of Virtue. Nature of Virtue examined. Rewardable
Virtue supposes Difficulty. Opportunities to practical

Virtue in civil Society. Duties of the Rich; of the
middle Ranks; of the Poor. Difference between Po-
verty and Indigence. Case of Peruvian Society sup-
posed. Low State to which it would reduce Mankind.
Conclusion in favour of various Conditions.

CHAP. V.

On the Principle of Population, and its Effects:
intended to show that Man is inevitably placed
in that Condition which is most calculated to
improve his Faculties, and afford Opportuni-
ties for the Exercise of Virtue .... Page 119
Statement of the Principle under every Condition of So-

ciety. Its Effect universal, in bringing the Population
up to the Supply of Food. First Result of the Prin-
ciple, the Division of Property. Mode of Operation
exemplified, in the Case of a single Family, for whose
Increase the allotted District is too small. This the
Date of the Recognition of Property among the ex-
isting Families.

II. This Division of Property is followed by the Divi-
sion of Ranks through the Effect of casual Misfortunes,
and moral Habits, causing Property, at first equal, to
run into large Masses. Vain Attempts in the ancient
Republics to obviate this Tendency. Inequality be-
comes more striking in the Progress of Civilization.
These Effects dependent upon the relative Ratio of the
Increase of Population, and of human Sustenance.
Their Consequence, individual Exertion.

Law of Increase, a Law of Design.

Wisdom of the Ordinance.

CHAP. VI.

On the collateral Effects of the Principle of

Population...

Objections against the Dispensation.

Page 161

Evil accompanying it, belongs to an imperfect State.
Its collateral Advantages. I. Universal Industry. A
Stimulus to Exertion necessary to Mankind. Proofs
from Experience. A Compensation is made in the
Advantages derived from the Division of Labour.
II. Second collateral Benefit, the Communication of Arts
and natural Productions. Case of mere Reproduction
supposed; its Consequences. Advantage of Migrations,
Instances, from Countries with and without Communi-
cation: also from a View of the present State of the
World; Asiatic Russia; Southern Asia; Africa;
America. Diffusion of Christianity.

Adaptation of the Principle of Population to peculiar
Circumstances of every Society. Its Operation not
severe or coercive.

Recapitulation of the Argument. Concluding Remarks.

PART III.

CHAP. I.

On the Goodness of the Creator.... Page 207

Proofs of a benevolent Design in the Creator, from the

Constitution of Mankind.

Argument à priori.

Sceptical Objections from the Appearance of the World,