H/E was born in Aberdeen in 1711, entered Marischal College in 1742, and was drowned at sea, as he was returning from travel, in September, 1751.During that age and the next there was a strong disposition towards the study of mental philosophy.In 1748, R.Dodsley began the publication of the " Preceptor," in London, and Fordyce wrote the article on " Moral Philosophy." He was appointed professor of moral philosophy in the college in which he bad been educated, in 1742.In 1745, he published " Dialogues concerning Education," a very pleasantly written book.He discusses the question whether nature or training does most, and inquires whether the Socratic method is fitted to bring forth what is in our nature.He dwells fondly, like most of the philosophers of the Scottish school, on the influence of the association of ideas.The religion he recommends was evidently the moderate type: " As the religion of Christ was designed as a plain, consistent rule of life, and not a system of abstracted reasonings and speculations, -- to influence the heart more than fill the head, -- I would endeavor above all things a high spirit of disinterested and extensive virtue." He was author also of an essay on "Action of the Pulpit." After his death there was published a work of his, " Theodorus, a Dialogue concerning the Art of Preaching," to which was added " A discourse on the Eloquence of the Pulpit, by James Fordyce." His " Elements of Moral Philosophy" was published in 1754.There is little that is original in his works, but much that is judicious and useful.It is evident that he was acquainted with the works of Butler and Hutcheson." Moral philosophy contemplates human nature, its moral powers and connections, and deduces the laws of action." " Moral philosophy has this in common with natural {107} philosophy that it appeals to nature or to fact." He finds passions or affections, some private, some public, and above these; (1) reason or reflection; (2) conscience, by which we denominate some actions and principles of conduct honest and good, and others wrong, dishonest, or ill." " We came by the idea of moral obligation or duty in the same way as our other original and primary perceptions: we receive them from the Author of our nature." We employ reason in moral cases, in "examining the condition, relations, and other circumstances of the agent, and patient." " Therefore, when we use these terms, obligation, duty, ought, and the like, they stand for a simple idea." He opposes those who establish morals on the divine will, and those who place it in the natures and reasons, truths and fitnesses, of things."
