Two Tracts on Civil Liberty, the War with America, and the Debts and Finances of the Kingdom (ePub)

Richard Price (1723-1791) was a prominent British moral philosopher, preacher, and intellectual of the 18th century. He is best noted for his strong support for the American Revolution and his writings regarding civil liberties. Price's advocacy for liberty and his engagement with the political and economic debates of his time were significantly expressed in his work, 'Two Tracts on Civil Liberty, the War with America, and the Debts and Finances of the Kingdom,' which addresses the justifications for the American colonies' push for independence, as well as the fiscal concerns of the British Empire. His moral stance and insight into civil liberties influenced both American and British political thought. Moreover, Richard Price was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the American Philosophical Society, indicating his respected standing among contemporaries in the realm of philosophy and economics. His contributions to social choice and actuarial science are also noteworthy. Price's literary style was analytical and persuasive, marked by a clear commitment to Enlightenment ideals, particularly those of liberty and rational public discourse. His published letters and speeches further serve to highlight his importance as a thinker who significantly contributed to late Enlightenment political and moral theory.