An Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance by John Foster

Read now or download (free!)

Choose how to read this book Url Size
Read online (web) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.html.images 576 kB
EPUB3 (E-readers incl. Send-to-Kindle) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.epub3.images 291 kB
EPUB (older E-readers) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.epub.images 299 kB
EPUB (no images, older E-readers) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.epub.noimages 282 kB
Kindle https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.kf8.images 564 kB
older Kindles https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.kindle.images 540 kB
Plain Text UTF-8 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8940.txt.utf-8 566 kB
Download HTML (zip) https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8940/pg8940-h.zip 287 kB
There may be more files related to this item.

About this eBook

Author Foster, John, 1770-1843
Title An Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance
Credits Produced by Distributed Proofreaders
Summary "An Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance" by John Foster is a philosophical essay written in the early 19th century that addresses the profound issues resulting from widespread ignorance among the populace. In the text, Foster explores how this lack of knowledge contributes to moral degradation, societal unrest, and national decline, positing that ignorance is not merely a benign absence of information but a critical force behind vice and misery. He employs historical examples, particularly focusing on the ancient Jewish and pagan societies, to demonstrate how ignorance leads to destructive behaviors and societal ramifications. The opening of the essay lays the groundwork for Foster's arguments by highlighting the calamities associated with ignorance. He reflects on the general indifference towards the suffering caused by widespread ignorance, drawing connections to the historical consequences and deplorable conditions of societies that have neglected education. Through a series of observations, Foster critiques those in power who perpetuate this state of ignorance, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort to educate the masses to avert national disaster. The beginning establishes a tone of urgency and a moral imperative for better educational practices, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of how knowledge can lead to societal improvement and personal fulfillment. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class LC: Education: Special aspects of education
Subject Education
Subject Missions -- India
Subject Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century
Subject Religious education
Subject Literacy
Category Text
EBook-No. 8940
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Aug 22, 2014
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 109 downloads in the last 30 days.
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!