Essay on man epistle 1 section 2

As a proponent of the doctrine of free will, Pope’s personal opinions seem at odds with his philosophical conclusions in the first epistle. Reconciling Pope’s own views with his fatalistic description of the universe represents an impossible task. The first epistle of An Essay on Man is its most ambitious.

Section III (93-202): Section III describes the modes of self-love (i.e., the passions) and their function. Pope then describes the ruling passion and its potency. The ruling passion works to provide man with direction and defines man’s nature and virtue.

Section I (1-52): Section I argues that man should not pry into God’s affairs but rather study himself, especially his nature, powers, limits, and frailties. Section II (53-92): Section II shows that the two principles of man are self-love and reason.

In the Argument of Epistle 2, Pope states its topic: "Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to Himself, as an Individual." Its stanzas will cover the following ideas: Man's business is to study himself, not God. Humans are governed by two principles, self-love and reason; both are necessary.