Fifteen Sermons Preached at the Rolls Chapel

A collection of sermons preached at the Rolls Chapel in London, where Butler was preacher, and printed in 1726; the second edition added a long Preface. The first three sermons, Upon Human Nature, argue that human nature is a system in which some parts have authority over others. Particular passions, self-love and benevolence each have a place, but conscience, the principle of reflection, has a natural right to govern, so acting against it is acting against our own nature. The eleventh sermon gives the classic reply to psychological egoism: particular desires aim at their objects, not at our own pleasure, and self-love depends on them, so benevolence and self-interest need not conflict. Other sermons examine compassion, resentment, forgiveness, self-deceit, and the love of neighbour and of God, with close attention to how people excuse themselves. The Preface explains Butler's method and defends the old view that virtue consists in following nature, rightly understood.

Its arguments against egoism and its account of conscience and self-deception are still taught, and they remain some of the clearest moral psychology in English.