date

1820 Feb. 17 Radicalism not dangerous
1820 Feb. 17

Radicalism not dangerous

III. Experience

II. Ireland

Radicalism origin of

Reputed Instruments of felicity

1. Money

2. Power

2

The quantity of felicity produced in any human breast by these objects of general desire does not rise /encrease/ in any proportion to the quantity of the aggregate mass of them. It is always a question whether in the breast of an average Monarch in an unlimited monarchy the quantity of felicity be twice as great as that in the breast of an average day-labourer in constant employment is always questionable: that it is so much ten times as great, no man it is believed will look upon him to assert with confidence.

This being agreed, a consequence is that in every community the quantity of felicity will be the greater the nearer the approach to equality is in the manner in which they /such of them as are divisible,/ are divided.

Of these several instruments of felicity and objects of general desire the only essential and permanent ones /articles/ /ones that are susceptible of division/ are money and power: these accordingly are the only ones which have a necessary place under every system of government.

Considered as appendages of government /political power/ factitious dignity, vengeance and ease, are characteristic of bad government.

Factitious dignity is the fruit of /product /offspring/ of/ pure illusion on the one part, and of imposture on the other. The effect of it in so far as it has any is purely mischievous. Suppose money, and power /its preeminence on money and preeminence on power together with factitious dignity/ altogether absent, the portion of respect and affection each man possesses - the portion of natural dignity each man possesses, will be dependent on his good behaviour will depend on the degree in which the virtues of /virtue of beneficence in conjunction with that of prudence, including/ self-regarding prudence are regarded as being present in or wanting to his conduct.
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    Description: 1820 Feb. 17

    Radicalism not dangerous

    III. Experience

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    Radicalism origin of

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    {9}

    As to factitious dignity though in every Country it actually /as yet/ has been yet it is not of absolute necessity, effectually attached /associated/ with Monarchy. Not so as to vice, intellectual and moral: on the part of Monarch preeminence of /in/ vice, on the part of his subjects admiration of vice as embodied in his most sacred and religious person. And thus it is that in even Monarchy as rich and most intimately and chemically composed /made up/ of vice and factitious […?] religion, with or without factitious dignity, is essentially to be found.
  • Title: [1820 Feb. 17 Necessity of Reform]
    Description: 1820 Feb. 17

    Necessity of Reform - from Radicalism not dangerous

    III. Experience

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    In the sence of life taken together, in every human being /breast/ by the very constitution of his nature, self-regarding interest /the regard for his own interest/ is predominant over all regard for all other sensitive beings put together: and by this predominance conduct is determined.

    If for ever so short a time the case was otherwise the whole species would perish.

    If to this general rule there be any exceptions the only individuals in whose instance they have place, and the portions of time during which in the breasts of these individuals they have place are comparatively so few that with respect to the practical result as applied to the constitution of governments there would /will/ be no difference.

    Whatsoever be the transferable elements /objects of general desire/ or regarded as being the reputed instruments of felicity dependant on government, regarded as being within his reach, it is the constant endeavour of every human being according to his /in the proportions prescribed by his particular / task and in so far as they are regarded as being compatible with each other to get these into his possession or power to get them into his own hands.

    Matter of wealth say for shortness money - power including influence, factitious respect and goodwill at the hands of others, and as an efficient instrument of those sentiments and affections factitious dignity /reputation or good repute/ in the countries where it has been manufactured - these occasionally with gratification for antipathy, or in one word vengeance occasionally, together absence of unpleasant labour or in a word ease in so far as the possession of it is compatible with the possession of those other elements /instruments/ /articles/ - under these /one or other/ names the whole list of the objects of general desire depending on or obtainable by means of government will it is believed be found comprised.
  • Title: [1820 Feb. 17 Radicalism not dangerous]
    Description: 1820 Feb. 17

    Radicalism not dangerous

    III. Experience

    II. Ireland

    Radicalism origin of

    Factitious dignity its evil effects

    3

    In proportion to /Proportioned to/ the quantity of factitious dignity /worth/ a man is in the enjoyment of, in so far as the effect intended to be produced by the instruments or certificates by which it is conferred are produced accordingly, proportioned to the quantity of the effect so produced is the evil produced by it: proportioned to this quantity is the degree in which {in respect of} the degree of esteem /quantity of respect/ and goodwill enjoyed by him {he} is independent of his good behaviour: in other words, the degree or quantity /degree or quantity/ of those several virtues of prudence and beneficence and in particular the virtue of beneficence for the exercise of which he finds an adequate inducement the degree of natural worth for the acquisition of which he finds in his intercourse with others an effectual demand an adequate inducement is inversely as the quantity of money inversely as the quantity of power, inversely as the quantity of factitious dignity he is in possession of.

    Of the possible money it is not possible that all men or any man should be divested altogether: with any such divestment the existence of the species is plainly incompatible.

    Any very near approach to equality as between man and man in respect of the quantity of it possessed by one man compared with the quantity possessed by another is also as hath been shewn incompatible with the existence of the species: unless on the supposition that men could find adequate inducement to live in communities possessing all things in common; a supposition of which to any considerable extent the realization does not seem compatible with the effectual character of the species.

    The quantity of the matter of wealth which each man shall be in possession of in virtue /by means/ of his own […?] industry or good fortune does not seem susceptible of any useful or even practicable limitation: but upon his death no bar in either regard[?] seems to oppose itself in whatsoever disposition of it may be most favourable /effectually subservient/ to the maintenance of practicable equality.