Shaftesbury's Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times was published in 1711. It ranges widely over ethics, aesthetics, religion, the arts (painting, literature, architecture, gardening), and ancient and modern history, and aims at nothing less than a new ideal of the gentleman. Together with Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Addison and Steele's Spectator, it is a text of fundamental importance for understanding the thought and culture of Enlightenment Europe. This volume presents a new edition of the text together with an introduction, explanatory notes and a guide to further reading.
Preface; A letter concerning enthusiasm; Sensus communis, an essay on the freedom of wit and humour; Soliloquy, or advice to an author; An inquiry concerning virtue or merit; The moralists, a philosophical rhapsody; Miscellaneous reflections.
