If any one will take the trouble of rigidly pursuing the main principle of the first Essay to all its consequences, he will find them of a magnitude and importance of which he was originally perhaps little aware. In venturing upon these remarks, the author would not be conceived as making any undue claims to originality. Most of the principles, which he has advanced, have been repeatedly asserted, and have had an influence on mankind of which they themselves were probably unconscious. It often happens, that an important principle is vaguely apprehended, and incidentally expressed, long before it is reduced to a definite form, or fixed by regular proof: but while it floats in this state on the surface of men's understandings it is only of casual and limited utility; it is sometimes forgotten and sometimes abandoned, seldom pursued to its consequences, and frequently de nied in its modifications. It is only after it has been clearly established by an indisputable process of reasoning, explored in its bearings, and exhibited in all its force, that it becomes of uniform and essential service; it is only then that it can be decisively appealed to both in controversy and in practice, and that it exerts the whole extent of its influence on private manners and public institutions. 1 CONTENT S. ESSAY ON THE FORMATION OF OPINIONS. Will ..... Page Section 1. On the Terms Belief, Assent, and Opi nion...... 7 III. On the Opinions of Locke and some other Writers on this subject........... 17 IV. On the Circumstances which have led men to regard Belief as voluntary ........... 25 V. On the Sources of Differences of Opinion. 35 VI. The same Subject continued. Sources of Differences of Opinion in the Feelings 49 VII. On Belief and Opinions as Objects of Moral Approbation and Disapproba tion, Rewards and Punishments.......... 63 VIII. On the Evil Consequences of the Common Errors on this Subject .... 73 b ESSAY ON THE PUBLICATION OF OPINIONS. Page Section 1. Introduction ........ 95 II. On the Mischiefs of Error und the Ad- III. Continuation of the same Subject .......... 113 IV. On Freedom of Discussion as the Means V. On the Assumptions involved in all Re- straints on the Publication of Opinions. 133 VI. On the Free Publication of Opinions as affecting the People at large.............. 143 VII. On the ultimate Inefficacy of Restraints on the Publication of Opinions, and |