8 rows · An Essay on the History of Civil Society Collection Baby Collections spéciales: Author: Adam Adam Ferguson's Essay on the History of Civil Society (first published in ) is a classic of the Scottish--and European--Enlightenment. Drawing on such diverse sources as classical authors and contemporary travel literature, Ferguson combines a subtle analysis of modern commercial society with a critique of its abandonment of civic and communal blogger.coms: 5 In doing so, Ferguson pioneers the concept of spontaneous order. This selection has been excerpted from the fifth edition () of Adam Ferguson’s An Essay on the History of Civil Society. The full text can be found at the Online Library of Liberty
An Essay on the History of Civil Society | Online Library of Liberty
N ATURAL productions are generally formed by degrees. Vegetables grow from a tender shoot, and animals from an infant state. Not only the individual advances from infancy to manhood, but the species itself from rudeness to civilization. IN every other instance, however, the natural historian thinks himself obliged to collect facts, not to offer conjectures. When he treats of any particular species of animals, he supposes, that their present dispositions and instincts are the same they originally had, and that their present manner of life is a continuance of their first destination.
He admits, that his knowledge of the material system of the world consists in a collection of facts, or at most, in general tenets derived from particular observations and experiments. IF the question be put, What the mind of man could perform, when left to itself, and without the aid of any foreign direction?
we are to look for our answer in the history of mankind. MANKIND are to be taken in groupes, as they have always subsisted. Has not the human race been planted like the colony in question? Who has directed their course? whose instruction have they heard? or whose example have they followed? NATURE, therefore, we shall presume, having given to every animal its mode of existence, its dispositions and manner of life, has dealt equally with those of the human race; and the natural historian who would collect the properties of this species, may fill up every article now, as well as he could have done in any former age.
Yet one property by which man is distinguished, has been sometimes overlooked in the account of his nature, or has only served to mislead our attention.
We observe the progress they have made; we distinctly enumerate many of its steps; we can trace them back to a distant antiquity; of which no record remains, nor any monument is preserved, to inform us what were the openings of this wonderful scene.
He is, in short, a man in every condition; and we can learn nothing of his nature from the analogy of other animals. If we would know him, we must attend to himself, to the course of his life, and the tenor of his conduct. With him the society appears to be as old as the adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society, and the use of the tongue as universal as that of the hand or the foot.
WE speak of art as distinguished from nature; but art itself is natural to man. He applies the same talents to a variety of purposes, and acts nearly the same part in very different scenes. He would be always improving on his subject, and he carries this intention where-ever he moves, through the streets of the populous city, or the wilds of the forest.
While he appears equally fitted to every condition, he is upon this account unable to settle in any. If he dwell in a cave, he would improve it into a cottage; if he has already built, he would still build to a greater extent.
We may desire to direct his love of improvement to its proper object, we may wish for stability of conduct; but we mistake human nature, if we wish for a termination of labour, or a scene of repose. They possess the shores of the Caspian, or the Atlantic, by a different tenure, but with equal ease. On the one they are fixed to the soil, and seem to be formed for settlement, and the accommodation of cities: The names they bestow on a nation, and on its territory, are the same.
Capable of a great variety of arts, yet dependent on none in particular for the preservation of his being; to whatever length he has carried his artifice, there he seems to enjoy the conveniencies that suit his nature, and to have found the condition to which he is destined. The sopha, the vaulted dome, and the colonade, do not more effectually content their native inhabitant. IF we are asked therefore, Where the state of nature is to be found?
we may answer, It is here; and it matters not whether we are understood to speak in the island of Great Britain, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society, at the Cape of Good Hope, or the Straits of Magellan.
While this active being is in the train of employing his talents, and of operating on the subjects around him, all situations are equally natural. But if nature is only opposed to art, in what situation of the human race are the footsteps of art unknown? For as, on the one hand, I yield to none in the conduct of war, in the disposition of armies, whether of horse or of foot, and in directing the movements of great or small bodies; so, on the other, I have my talent in writing, inferior perhaps only to those who inhabit the great cities of Persia or India.
Of other nations, unknown to me, I do not speak. MAN may mistake the objects of his pursuit; he may misapply his industry, and misplace his improvements. If under a sense of such possible errors, he would find a standard by which to judge of his own proceedings, and arrive at the best state of his nature, he cannot find it perhaps in the practice of any individual, or of any nation whatever; not even in the sense of the majority, or the prevailing opinion of his kind.
OF all the terms that we employ in treating of human affairs, those of natural and unnatural are the least determinate in their meaning. At most, this language can only refer to the general and prevailing sense or practice of mankind; and the purpose of every important inquiry on this subject may adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society served by the use of a language equally familiar and more precise.
What is just, or unjust? What is happy, or wretched, in the manners of men? IF in human nature there are qualities by which it is distinguished from every other part of the animal creation, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society are themselves in different climates and in different ages greatly diversified. So far as we are able to account for this diversity on principles either moral or physical, we perform a task of great curiosity or signal utility.
He has one set of dispositions which refer to his animal preservation, and to the continuance of his race; another which lead to society, and by inlisting him on the side of one tribe or community, frequently engage him in war and contention with the rest of mankind. Without the instincts which teach the beaver and the squrrel, the ant and the bee, to make up their little hoards for winter, at Page 17 first improvident, and, where no immediate object of passion is near, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society, addicted to sloth, he becomes, in process of time, the great storemaster among animals.
He finds in a provision of wealth, which he is probably never to employ, an object of his greatest solicitude, and the principal idol of his mind, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society. Under this influence, they would enter, if not restrained by the laws of civil society, on a scene of violence or meanness, which would exhibit our species, by turns, under an aspect more terrible and odious, or more vile and contemptible than that of any animal which inherits the earth.
LOVE is an affection which carries the attention of the mind beyond itself, and has a quality which we call tenderness, that never can accompany the considerations of interest. We consider affection and courage as adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society follies, that lead us to neglect or expose ourselves; we make wisdom consist in a regard to our interest; and without explaining what interest means, we would have it understood as the only reasonable motive of action with mankind.
There is even a system of philosophy founded upon tenets of this sort, and such is our opinion of what men are likely to do upon selfish principles, that we think it must have a tendency very dangerous to virtue.
Of this kind are the terms benevolence and selfishness, by which they express their desire of the welfare of others, or the care of their own. The speculative are not always satisfied with this proceeding; they would analyze, as well as enumerate the principles of nature; and the chance is, that, merely to gain the appearance of something new, without any prospect of real advantage, they will disturb the order of vulgar apprehension, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society.
In the case before us, they have actually found, that benevolence is no more than a species of self-love; and would oblige us, if possible, to look out for a new set of words, by which we may distinguish the selfishness of the parent when he takes care of his child, from his selfishness when adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society only takes care of himself, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society.
For according to this philosophy, as in both cases he only means to gratify a desire of his own, he is in both cases equally selfish.
The fact is, that we should need only a fresh supply of language, instead of that which by this seeming discovery we should have lost, in order to make the reasonings of men proceed Page 21 as they formerly did. When taken in this sense, it will not surely be thought to comprehend at once all the motives of human conduct. If men be not allowed to have disinterested benevolence, they will not be denied to have disinterested passions of another kind.
IN collecting the materials of history, we are seldom willing to put up with our subject merely as we find it. In theory we profess the investigation of general principles; and in order to bring the matter of our inquiries within the reach of our comprehension, are disposed to adopt any system. Thus, in treating of human affairs, we would draw every consequence from a principle of union, or a principle of dissension.
The state of nature is a state of war or of amity, and men are made to unite from a principle of affection, or from a principle of fear, as is most suitable to the system of different writers.
Our attachment to one division, or to one sect, seems often to derive much of its force from an animosity conceived to an opposite one: and this animosity in its turn, as often arises from a Page 24 zeal in behalf of the side we espouse, and from a desire to vindicate the rights of our party.
MAN is born in society, says Montesquieu, and there he remains. The track of a Laplander on the snowy shore, gives joy to the lonely mariner; and the mute signs of cordiality and kindness which are made to him, awaken the memory of pleasures which he felt in society. But neither a propensity to mix with the herd, nor the sense of advantages enjoyed in that condition, comprehend all the principles by which men are united together. Those bands are even of a feeble texture, when compared to the resolute ardour with which a man adheres to his friend, or to his tribe, after they have for some time run the career of fortune together.
The most lively transports of joy are seen, and the loudest shrieks of despair are heard, when the objects of a tender affection are beheld in a state of triumph or of suffering.
It is here he finds that his arrows fly swifter than an eagle, and his weapons wound deeper than the paw of the lion, or the tooth of the boar. Vehement passions of animosity or attachment are the first exertions of vigour in his breast; under their influence, every consideration, but that of Page 27 his object, is forgotten; dangers and difficulties only excite him the more, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society.
From this source are derived, not only the force, but the very existence of his happiest emotions; not only the better part, but almost the whole of his rational character. Affection operates with the greatest force, where it meets with the greatest difficulties: In the breast of the parent, it is most solicitous amidst the dangers and distresses of the child: In the breast of a man, its flame redoubles where the wrongs or sufferings of his friend, or his country, require his aid.
It is, in short, from this principle alone that we can account for the obstinate attachment of a savage to his unsettled and defenceless tribe, when temptations on the side of ease and of safety might induce him to fly from famine and danger, to a station more affluent, and more secure. Hence the sanguine affection which every Greek bore to his country, and Page 28 hence the devoted patriotism of an early Roman. Let those examples be compared with the spirit which reigns in a commercial state, where men may be supposed to have experienced, in its full extent, the interest adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society individuals have in the preservation of their country.
It is here, indeed, if ever, that man is sometimes found a detached and solitary being: he has found an object which sets him in competition with his fellow-creatures, and he deals with them as he does with his cattle and his soil, for the sake of the profits they bring. The mighty engine which we suppose to have formed society, only tends to set its members at variance, or to continue their intercourse after the bands of affection are broken.
THERE are some circumstances in the lot of mankind, says Socrates, that shew them to be destined to friendship and amity: Those are, their mutual need of one another; their mutual compassion; their sense of mutual benefits; and the pleasures arising in company. Page 30 THERE is still more to be observed on this subject.
Even where no particular claim to superiority is formed, the repugnance to union, the frequent wars, or rather the perpetual hostilities, which take place among rude nations and separate clans, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society, discover how much our species is disposed to opposition, as well as to concert.
We have found them in narrower districts, circumscribed by mountains, Page 31 great rivers, and arms of the sea. They have been found in small and remote islands, adam ferguson essay on the history of civil society the inhabitants might be easily assembled, and derive an advantage from their union.
But in all those situations, alike, they were broke into cantons, and affected a distinction of name and community. We love individuals on account of personal qualities; but we love our country, as it is a party in the divisions of mankind; and our zeal for its interest, is a predilection in behalf of the side we maintain.
IN the promiscuous concourse of men, it is sufficient that we have an opportunity of selecting our company. We turn away from those who do not engage us, and we fix our resort where the society is more to our mind.
We are fond of distinctions; we place ourselves in opposition, and quarrel under the denominations of faction and party, without any material subject of controversy. Aversion, like affection, is fostered by a continued direction to its particular object. Separation and estrangement, as well as opposition, widen a breach which did not owe its beginnings to any offence.
IF societies, as well as individuals, be charged with the care of their own preservation, and if in both we apprehend a separation of interest, which may give rise to jealousies and competitions, we cannot be surprised to find hostilities arise from this source. But were there no angry passions of a different sort, the animosities which attend an opposition of interest, should bear a proportion to the supposed value of the subject.
Such depredations then are not the foundation of a war, but the effects of a hostile intention already conceived. What is it that stirs in the breasts of ordinary men when the enemies of their country are named?
What is it that excites one half of the nations of Europe against the other? The statesman may explain his conduct on motives of national jealousy and caution, but the people have dislikes and antipathies, for which they cannot account.
Their mutual reproaches of perfidy and injustice, like the Hottentot depredations, are but symptoms of an animosity, and the language of a hostile disposition already conceived. My Father, said a Spanish peasant, would rise from his grave, if he could foresee a war with France.
What interest had he, or the bones of his father, in the quarrels of princes? Every animal is made to delight in the exercise of his natural talents and forces: The lion and the tyger sport with the paw; the horse delights to commit his mane to the wind, and forgets his pasture to try his speed in the field; the bull even before his brow is armed, and the lamb while yet an emblem of innocence, have a disposition to strike with the forehead, and anticipate, in play, the conflicts they are doomed to sustain.
WITHOUT the rivalship of nations, and the practice of war, civil society itself could scarcely have found an object, or a form.
Religion: Crash Course Sociology #39
, time: 11:06Adam ferguson an essay on the history of civil society summary
8 rows · An Essay on the History of Civil Society Collection Baby Collections spéciales: Author: Adam Fundamental to Ferguson's social theory is the conviction that there is no period in the history of the human race which could properly be characterized as pre-societal, that is, that society is coeval with man. The individual appears as the bearer of social dispositions and these dispositions are an essential part of In doing so, Ferguson pioneers the concept of spontaneous order. This selection has been excerpted from the fifth edition () of Adam Ferguson’s An Essay on the History of Civil Society. The full text can be found at the Online Library of Liberty
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