A Peculiar System of Morality: William Preston and the Definition of English Freemasonry

by George Boys-Stones

English Freemasonry is defined 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 used Aristotle as his starting-point to argue that Freemasonry teaches a philosophical approach to virtue, which it expresses allegorically through the story of the building of King Solomon's Temple. 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 add new material based on the 2021 Prestonian Lecture. All proceeds from the sale of this book support the UK charity Building Self-Belief.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B091FWDXQM
• ISBN13: 9798723846166
• Release Date: April 2021
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 96 Pages