Author : George Boys-Stones
Publisher : Independently Published
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 96 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (238 download)
Book Synopsis A Peculiar System of Morality by : George Boys-Stones
Download or read book A Peculiar System of Morality written by George Boys-Stones and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2021-04-02 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Freemasonry is defined in English masonic ritual as 'a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols' - but what does all that mean? This three-part study traces the definition back to the work of William Preston (1742-1818). It shows how Preston, using Aristotle as his starting-point, argued that Freemasonry teaches a philosophical approach to virtue, which it expresses allegorically through the story of the building of King Solomon's Temple. Preston's view proved decisive in shaping the ritual approved for use in 1816 by the United Grand Lodge of England. Almost all English lodges, and many others throughout the world, still use a ritual derived from this one, and, perhaps without realising it, continue to pay silent testimony to Preston and to Aristotle in their work. Part I of this study is a revised edition of 'A System of Morality: Aristotle and English Masonic Ritual', originally published in 2020 as a version of the Prestonian Lecture for that year; Parts II and III ad new material based on the 2021 Prestonian Lecture.