""Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times"" is a three-volume philosophical work written by Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury in the 18th century. The book explores various topics such as ethics, aesthetics, religion, politics, and human nature. The author's main argument is that the pursuit of virtue and the cultivation of beauty are essential to a flourishing society. He also emphasizes the importance of individual liberty...