
LECTURES ON THE TRUE, THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE GOOD.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
ADVERTISEMENT.
PHILOSOPHY IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
LECTURE I. THE EXISTENCE OF UNIVERSAL AND NECESSARY PRINCIPLES.
LECTURE II. ORIGIN OF UNIVERSAL AND NECESSARY PRINCIPLES.
LECTURE III. ON THE VALUE OF UNIVERSAL AND NECESSARY PRINCIPLES.
LECTURE IV. GOD THE PRINCIPLE OF PRINCIPLES.
LECTURE V. ON MYSTICISM.
This volume gathers a series of early‑19th‑century lectures that aim to clarify three timeless questions: what is true, what is beautiful, and what is good. The author reorganizes material that once circulated only in a Parisian faculty, presenting it in a concise, readable form for modern ears. Listeners are invited to follow a single, coherent line of thought rather than a fragmented collection of essays.
The first part tackles the nature of knowledge, exploring how perception and reason combine to reveal truth. The middle section turns to aesthetics, examining how the mind discerns beauty in art and nature. The final lectures address moral philosophy, natural rights, and the uneasy problem of theodicy, all while emphasizing a spiritualist outlook that places the intellect above mere sensation. Throughout, the author balances reverence for the classical tradition with an eclectic use of contemporary ideas.
Delivered in clear, measured prose, the lectures feel like a guided tour through the history of philosophy, from Socrates and Plato to modern thinkers. Listeners will find a thoughtful blend of rigorous analysis and accessible explanation, making complex concepts approachable without sacrificing depth.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (743K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Geetu Melwani, Dave Morgan, Susan Skinner and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2011-05-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1792–1867
A leading voice in 19th-century French philosophy, he became known for an "eclectic" approach that tried to bring together insights from several traditions rather than defend a single school. He also helped shape public education in France and introduced many readers to the history of philosophy through his lectures and books.
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