| This dissertation presents a comprehensive approach to the ethical ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment thinker Adam Ferguson,which he founded in his works such as An Essay on the History of Civil Society,Institutes of Moral Philosophy and Principles of Moral and Political Science.The dissertation is divided into seven sections:In the introduction,the author presents the purpose and significance of this study,and gives a brief review of the current status of related researches home and abroad,then introduces the research content and methods of this dissertation.In the first chapter,this dissertation describes the historical context of Ferguson’s ethical thought.The author points out that,on the one hand,the time when Ferguson lived coincided with the era of Enlightenment in Europe, and Ferguson is a vital representative in Scottish Enlightenment;On the other hand,in that time,when liberal capitalism was rising and modern civil society taking shape,commercial society getting rapid development,and modern market economy gradually exposing a series of problems,namely "modernity" Therefore,all in all,Ferguson’s ethical thought can not go beyond the boundaries delineated by his age,ignore the theoretical exploration of contemporary enlightenmental thinkers,also must reflect and respond to commercial civilization and modernity.In the second chapter,this dissertation analysises the humanity basis of Ferguson’s ethical thought. The author points out that the exploration of human nature is the logical starting point of his ethics,and also is the main line in it.About human nature,Ferguson stressed two points:one is the "diversity" of human nature,that is to say,man has a inclination of self-interested and altruistical;rational and instinctive passionate; self-preservation and union or divergence.Secondly,sociality is the fundamental property of man,also is the main aspect of human nature.Ferguson pointed out that, although self-interest has its positive effects in the process of commercial development,but real happiness is the result of benevolence.Based on the understanding of human nature, Ferguson expanded his ethical system, so the contents of this chapter is the theoretical basis of this study.The third chapter examines the religious dimension of Ferguson’s ethics.The author argues that religion still occupied a very important position,whether in rational enlightenment of France,or in emotional enlightenment of Scotland.Moreover,the conflict and adaptation between man and God has been throughout the developmental process of western ethics,and to some extent we even can say that the relationship between free will and God’s plan is a main theme which Enlightenment can not get rid of.In fact, Ferguson was discussing free will in-depth in his own way (ie,the theory of spontaneous order of social progress) from several aspects.In view of this,this chapter will explore the relationship between free will and God,the initiative of man and spontaneous order in the process of progress in Ferguson’s theoretic system.The fourth chapter discusses the thought of Ferguson’s virtue theory. Firstly,the author points out that the Scottish Enlightenment’s virtue theory is based on the theory of human nature,and they find the base of virtue as well as the principle of moral judgment by analysising emotion rather than ration.The author finds, relative to other thinkers who paid close attention on emotional factors,Ferguson more emphasized the importance of benevolence, altruism in morality.Secondly,the author analyzes the concept and types of Ferguson’s virtue.As for Ferguson,virtue refers to the excellent quality in morality,it relates closely to the action of human,and it is a character of mind;furthermore,the knowledge of virtue is relevant to historical environment. Ferguson analysed the kinds of virtue mainly on two aspects:four cardinal virtues of justice,wisdom,courage and temperance and several vital virtues for civil society,such as courage,patriotic,active political participation. Finally,the author describes Ferguson’s moral law and its application.The fifth chapter describes the concept of happiness of Ferguson. First, Ferguson believed that happiness is the practice of action which in line with human’s virtue of excellence,kindness,etc.Happiness is based on preasure but go beyond it;and virtue is necessary for happiness which lies in relentless pursuit for goodness.Second,Ferguson pointed out that only in country or society,individual can give full play his excellent,good virtues in nature, then achieve happiness.So national happiness is in accordance with felicity of the country.ThirdJFerguson pointed out that the introduction of commercial rules to emotion will lead to the loss of virtues.Then,How to revive civic virtue and achieve happiness? To Ferguson, because Virtue is influenced by politics, education, knowledge, habits and other factors.Therefore,the methods of reviving virtue,then achieving happiness are as follows:reforming political system to establish a mixed gevernment;cultivating people’s patriotic virtues by civic education;encouraging people to defend their rights actively by advocating civil liberty;nurturing people’s military quality through militia scheme.The epilogue explains Ferguson’s unique reflection on modernity and its revelation.The author points out that the core concerns of Ferguson’s ethics:there is a profound contradiction between commercial spirit and public spirit in modern society,and how to coordinate this contradiction and advance side by side.Locating Ferguson’s theoretical thinking, the author finds that the only way to reconcile this contradiction is separating the field of technology and substance from that of morality and psychology in order to balance the development of both and find a way out from modernity.In other words,community and commerce,wealth and virtue can develope harmoniously,rather than conflict each other.Therefore,how to revive civic virtue in modern commercial society, or how to nurture civic virtue in the soil of modern society is the main purpose of this dissertation,and also is what Ferguson revelated us.
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