The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-07-27
MISCELLANY.
Aristotle, Paley and ThornwelI.

Aristotle, Paley and Thornweu.
The editor of the Southern Patriot
having remarked, in a late commentators
notice of DIR. TnoRNwEL1.'s recent work on
Truth, that AHIsrorLE's philosophy ap-
proximated more closely than PALEY's the
seaching of Scripture, the Hon. w. J..
GRArsoN, of Charleston, made the follow
ing reply. We copy it because it is inter
cs,ing and instructive;
My Dear SIR: I read your paper with
pleasure always, even when l have not the
good fortune to agree with you in opinion.
not only differ with you on the subject Of
a late editorial, but, assured of your tolcra-
t'on for all honest varieties of doctrine,
VIII venture TO express the difference freely.
Your paper Of the 5th inst, processes
warm admiration for the writings and
character of President Thornwel, and COM
ments on some Of his opinions. There is
no doubt that he fully merits your atlmra-
ton. Both he and you, however, do in
justice to an older writer, in whose behalf
1 would say few words Of apology or
defence.
Archdeacon Palcy's treatise was, in my
day, the text book i'll moral philosophy Of
the South Carolina College, as it was, and
continues TO be, Of the English University
of Cambridge. DR.. Maxcy, great and
venerable name, explained from It's pages
the principles Of ethics. Whether the Rev.
Doctor, in all things, agreed with the Rev.
Dean, Will not undertake to say, but this
know, that the President of the College
would rot have permitted the Use of a text
i''ok, on any subject. of unsound or prciu-
''scial opinions. I sustain Dr. Maxcv, when
attempt to defend the author Of his text
book.
| deny, tiicn, that there is IA nearer ap-
,rcxilnation to the writings of the Bible,
i'll Aristotle than in Paley," or that Paley's
motions OF happiness are degrading and
analogous to those of brute" 0, that lie,
Or any writer of reputation, can deserve
President TilornwclFs remark, when he says,
''e.coEs"r tc, tlns view, he that scratches
withEc Itch * rs ,,4,Esis ssa.is-
factieps he that rcjoiccs in charity Or
who soul turns upon the poles Of truth"
The is in the .censuTc as l;ttlc applca-
biras elegance, for no Moralist can be
narl who makes happiness consist in
mer physical enjoyment. Epicurus him
self Ed no such opinion. With what just
ice. lcn, can it be imputed to Dean Paley,
who he expressly tells us, that "happincss
dofnot consist in the pleasures Of sense in
whever profusion or variety they bo en-
Joy&. BY pleasures Of sense arc meant, As
wethc mere animal qualifications, rs the
mo: refined pleasures Of music, painting,
are,tecture, gardening and those Of active
spos; as hunting, shooting or fishing"
Hang told us what happiness does not
const in, he adds that it does consist "in
the ,ercse of the social affections;'' and
agan Sin the exercise Of our faculties in
somengaging end;" and, as the succcs in
thls sercise will depend very much on the
earneness Of the pursuit, and the impor
lancet the end, "a man who is in earnest
= III" endeavors after the happiness Of a
future state, has, iii this respect, All advan-
tase over al, IL ..,e .he world" Is there anything
in this analogous to the "a, ...anplpess OF a
brute, or alien to the teaching of the Bible.
Dean Paley is one of the .acutest think
ers and clearest writers in the English Ian
guage His style is so perspicuous, that
the reader easily falls. into the mistake that
what is 50 clear cannot be deep. He sees
the Deans thoughts so distinctly, that he
thinks he can readily manage them; as
one sees shell in the transparent West
India Seas at the depth. of ten fathoms,
and fancies that he can reach it with his
hand. His was not a.rnind to smistify itself
with the dreams of the transcedental in
anything. lie was content on the subject
of morals to go no farther than what was
solid, practical and useful. He thought
that the moral systems which preceded his
'wn were detective, because not sufficiently
"tcd "to real life and actual situations"
sa teacher of youth, he set about to
lis deficiency. 1t seems to me that
""Aad in doing so beyond any
,sonhy to he the