A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm, to My Lord- (1708)

A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm, To My Lord is a philosophical treatise written by Anthony Ashley Cooper, also known as the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury. The book, published in 1708, explores the concept of enthusiasm in religious and philosophical contexts. Shaftesbury defines enthusiasm as an excessive and irrational zeal or passion for a particular idea or belief. He argues that enthusiasm can be dangerous, leading individuals to act impulsively and irrationally, and that it can be a threat to social order and stability. The book is written in the form of a letter addressed to an unknown Lord, and Shaftesbury draws on a range of philosophical and theological sources to support his argument. He examines the role of reason and emotion in religious belief, and argues that true religious faith should be based on a rational understanding of the world, rather than blind passion. Shaftesbury's work was influential in shaping Enlightenment thought and had a significant impact on the development of modern philosophy. A Letter Concerning Enthusiasm, To My Lord is considered a classic of English literature and is still widely read and studied today.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.