Observations on Man: His Frame, his Duty, and his Expectations

David Hartley

doi:10.1017/CBO9781139628617

The orphaned son of an Anglican clergyman, David Hartley (1705–57) was originally destined for holy orders. Declining to subscribe to the Thirty-Nine Articles, he turned to medicine and science yet remained a religious believer. This, his most significant work, provides a rigorous analysis of human nature, blending philosophy, psychology and theology. First published in two volumes in 1749, Observations on Man is notable for being based on the doctrine of the association of ideas. It greatly influenced scientists, theologians, social reformers and poets: Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who named his eldest son after Hartley, had his portrait painted while holding a copy. In Volume 1, Hartley utilises Newtonian science in his observations. He presents a theory of 'vibrations', explaining how the elements of the nerves and brain interact as a result of stimulation, creating 'associations' and emotions.

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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THE PREFACE
pp v-viii
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Contents
pp ix-xx
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INTRODUCTION
pp 1-4
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CHAP. I - Of the general Laws, according to which the Sensations and Motions are performed, and our Ideas generated
pp 5-114
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CHAP. II - Containing the Application of the Doctrines of Vibrations and Association to each of the Sensations and Motions in particular
pp 115-267
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CHAP. III - Containing a particular Application of the foregoing Theory to the Phænomena of Ideas, or of Understanding, Affection, Memory, and Imagination
pp 268-415
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CHAP. IV - Of the Six Classes of intellectual Pleasures
pp 416-499
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CONCLUSION
pp 500-512
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Observations on Man

His Frame, his Duty, and his Expectations

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

THE PREFACE
pp v-viii

Contents
pp ix-xx

INTRODUCTION
pp 1-4

CHAP. I - Of the general Laws, according to which the Sensations and Motions are performed, and our Ideas generated
pp 5-114

CHAP. II - Containing the Application of the Doctrines of Vibrations and Association to each of the Sensations and Motions in particular
pp 115-267

CHAP. III - Containing a particular Application of the foregoing Theory to the Phænomena of Ideas, or of Understanding, Affection, Memory, and Imagination
pp 268-415

CHAP. IV - Of the Six Classes of intellectual Pleasures
pp 416-499

CONCLUSION
pp 500-512

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His Frame, his Duty, and his Expectations

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