The Scottish Philosophy [283]
to a nation or not. Dr. Skene, Feb. 24. 41. What is the cause of the apparent color of the heavens? Or what is properly the object to which that color can be attributed? Principal Campbell, March to. 42. Whether the idea of cause and effect include in it any thing more than their constant conjunction. And, if so, what it is that it includes. Prof. Stew. art. March 10th and 31st 43. Mr. Trail. -- Whether the substituting of machines instead of men's labor, in order to lessen the expense of labor, contributes to the populousness of a country. Feb. 24 44. Mr. Reid. -- Whether moral character consists in affections, wherein the will is not concerned; or in fixed habitual and constant purposes. April 15. 45. Mr. Gordon.-Whether slavery be in all cases inconsistent with good government. NOV. 24 46. Mr. Gerard. -- Whether there be any such affection in human nature as universal benevolence. Dec. 8. 47. Mr. Farquhar.-Whether in writing history it be proper to mix moral and political reflexions or to draw characters. Dec. 8. 48. Whence does man derive the authority which he assumes over the brutes, and how far does this authority extend? Mr. Beattie. Dec. 22, 1761. 49. What are the best expedients for preventing an extravagant rise of servants' wages, and for obliging them to bestow their labor where agriculture and manufactures require it. Jan. 12, 1762. Occasional question. 50. Doctor Gregorie. -- What are the good and bad effects of the provision for the poor by poor's rates, infirmaries, hospitals, and the like? Feb. 9. 51. Doctor Skene. -- Whether the determination by unanimity or a majority injuries is most equitable. March 9. 52. Doctor Campbell. -- How far human laws can justly make alterations on what seems to be founded on the principles of the law of nature. March 23. 53, Mr. Stewart.-Whether human laws be binding on the consciences of men. April 16. 54. Mr. Reid. -- Whether by the encouragement of proper laws the number of births in Great Britain might not be nearly doubled or at least greatly increased. June 8. {470} 55. Mr. Thomas Gordon. -- Whether the current coin of the nation ought not to be debased by alloy or raised in its value, so as there shall be no profit made by exporting it. Dec. 14. 56. Doctor Gerard. -- Whether it be best that courts of law and courts of equity were different, or that the same court had the power of determining either according to law or equity as circumstances require. Feb. 22, 1763. 57. Mr. Farquhar -- Whether justice is most effectually promoted in civil and criminal courts where the judges are numerous or where they are few. March 22. 58. Mr. Beattie. -- What are the advantages and disadvantages of an extensive commerce? March 22. 59. Dr. Gregory. -- Whether the art of medicine, as it has been practised, has contributed to the advantage of mankind. July 12. 60. Dr. Skene. -- Whether in the same person opposite passions and affections, such as love and hatred, resentment of injuries and benefits, always subsist in an equal degree of strength. Oct. to. 61. Dr. Campbell. -- Whether any animals besides men and domestic animals are liable to diseases, the decay of nature and accidental hurts excepted; and if they are not, whether there is any thing in the domestic life which can account for such diseases as men and domestic animals are obnoxious to. May to. 62. Mr. Stewart. -- Whether or not there be a real foundation for the distinction betwixt precepts or counsels in matters of morality. Dec.-- 13 63. Dr. Reid. -- Whether every action deserving moral approbation must be done from a persuasion of its being morally good. NOV. 22, 1763. 64. Mr. Thomas Gordon. -- How far the profession of a soldier of fortune is defensible . Jan. 24, 1764. 65. Dr. Gerard. -- Whether eloquence be useful or pernicious. Feb. 28, 1764 66. Mr. Farquhar.-What is the origin of the blacks? March 13, 1764. 67. Mr. Beattie. -- What is that quality in objects that