Francis Hutcheson quotes

Francis Hutcheson was an Irish philosopher and one of the founders of the Scottish Enlightenment. His works explored moral philosophy and the concept of the "moral sense," influencing later thinkers such as David Hume and Adam Smith. He is recognized for advocating that human beings possess an innate sense of right and wrong. Here are 7 of his quotes:

Wisdom denotes the pursuing of the best Ends by the best Means.

Francis Hutcheson

The ultimate notion of right is that which tends to the universal good; and when one's acting in a certain manner has this tendency, he has a right thus to act.

Francis Hutcheson

Whence this secret Chain between each Person and Mankind? How is my Interest connected with the most distant Parts of it?

Francis Hutcheson

All our Ideas, or the materials of our reasoning or judging, are received by some immediate Powers of Perception internal or external, which we may call Senses ... Reasoning or Intellect seems to raise no new Species of Ideas, but to discover or discern the Relations of those received.

Francis Hutcheson

Whoever voluntarily undertakes the necessary office of rearing and educating, obtains the parental power without generation.

Francis Hutcheson

That Action is best, which procures the greatest Happiness for the greatest Numbers; and that worst, which, in like manner, occasions Misery.

Francis Hutcheson