An Essay on Humanity to Animals

Details

Instance of

non-fiction literary work

Publication date

9 March 1798

Author

Thomas Young

Genre

Christian literature, essay, philosophy

Main subject

animal ethics, Christian theology

copyright status

public domain, public domain

first line

In offering to the public a book on Humanity to Animals, I am sensible that I lay myself open to no small portion of ridicule, independent of all the common dangers to which authors are exposed.

language of work or name

English

last line

If anyone thinks that some things in this chapter are whimsical, or ridiculous, or over-refined, let him consider that a man who pursues his moral improvement rationally and resolutely, and who is aware of the manner in which our passions cheat us into vice, will be fain to take all advantages in his turn, and will do, and abstain from, many things for the sake of habit which in themselves are indifferent and unimportant; conscious that actions, whether good or bad, acquire to themselves a consequence, when considered in their relation to other actions, which would not have belonged to them in their private and independent capacity.

publisher

Cadell & Davies

title

An Essay on Humanity to Animals