"The ennui ... of a tedious sermon": head versus heart in a love letter to Maria Cosway -- "Art appears too much": Jefferson and the moral and aesthetic senses -- "Expediency can never contend with virtue": Jefferson's ancient philosophy sources -- "The law of nature ... cannot be stationary": Jefferson's curious immixture of modern moralists -- Ethicizing through truth and untruth: the lessons of history and useful fiction -- The politics of progress: the lessons of government by the few -- Duty to God and duty to man: Jefferson on religion, sectarian and natural -- Government by the natural aristoi: education and the problem of virtuous politicians -- The (stoic) sage of Monticello: "truth [as] a branch of morality."
Summary:
"Drawing on a careful reading of his writings and an examination of his known readings on morality, this study argues that Jefferson developed early a consistent moral sense--Stoical in essence and focused on his own moral improvement--and maintained it throughout his life"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.