The Religion of Nature Delineated · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Religion of Nature Delineated by William Wollaston.

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Chapter 1
Translator's Note
John Clarke explains that Queen Caroline commanded him to translate the notes of 'The Religion of Nature Delineated' into English for her personal use, and that a new edition prompted the publication of this translation as a supplement to the author's work.
Chapter 2
Editor's Note
The editor explains the process of expanding and clarifying Wollaston's obscure source references, particularly with help from Alexander Altmann in identifying Hebrew sources. The note also describes modernizations made to the text, including spelling, punctuation, and the addition of hyperlinks.
Chapter 3
The Religion of Nature Delineated
This chapter delineates the religion of nature, exploring the foundations of moral good and evil, the role of reason in discovering truth, and the relationship between happiness and virtue. It establishes the existence and perfection of a deity through natural reason, defines natural rights and property, and outlines the foundations of society and government, as well as marriage and family duties.
Chapter 4
I: Of Moral Good and Evil
This chapter establishes the foundation of morality in the difference between good, evil, and indifferent acts, arguing that moral acts require an intelligent and free agent. It defines truth as the conformity of words or signs to things, and extends this to deeds, showing that actions can affirm or deny truth. The chapter argues that violating truth—whether by act or omission—is contrary to the will of God, the laws of nature, and reason, and addresses objections regarding necessity, self-preservation, and the treatment of objects.
Chapter 5
II: Of Happiness
This chapter defines happiness as the excess of true pleasure over pain, establishes the duty to pursue happiness, and argues that true happiness is inseparable from truth and reason. It asserts that no being can be ultimately happy by contradicting nature or truth, and that genuine happiness for rational beings must be consistent with reason. The chapter concludes that the practice of truth and the pursuit of happiness are ultimately the same, forming the basis of natural religion.

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Translator's Note

Editor's Note

The Religion of Nature Delineated

I: Of Moral Good and Evil

II: Of Happiness