Abstract

Edwards' philosophy, considered within two guidelines, chronologically and philosophically, reveals a new Edwards for there are no chronological and purely philosophical complete editions of his works from youth to maturity. ;Edwards' works show philosophical awareness of the "moral sense" of Shaftesbury and Hutcheson, Locke's empiricism, Wollaston's and Tindal's natural philosophy, Hobbs' on self-interest and Hume on instinct and virtue in a philosophy reflecting Platonism's claim of an absolute truth. He does not mention Berkeley but his work reflects metaphysical idealism. ;Edwards' pulpit style, like most ministers' in rural New England was designed to stir parishioners toward an anthropomorphic God which is currently out of fashion. Edwards packed philosophy into his sermons and often took months to preach them. Many, later revised, were published as his philosophical works, but usually in abridged forms. ;The notion of Edwards as a "frighting preacher" originated late in the 19th century with Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God offered as the paradigm. A modern view was generated in the past 50 years: Edwards was a Lockean empiricist philosopher, and a mathematical scientist. ;This dissertation claims: both views are extreme; Edwards realized Scripture was not sufficient against rational argument. He adapted Calvinism to metaphysical idealism expressed in the idiom that his parishioners understood but we find repugnant because of its anthropomorphic metaphors. In his other works his idealism is expressed in appropriate philosophical disputation. He was a philosopher but held no allegiance to any camp. ;Edwards examined issues pertinent to his times and our own. He used psychological factors in his arguments and was among the first in the colonies to recognize the place, besides God's will, of psychology in mankind's general behavior. For this awareness and involvement and as a pioneer in recognizing the importance of psychology in human affairs, Edwards should be accorded a greater place of honor in American philosophy.