What did shaftesbury believe divine was?

Answer 1

Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, believed that the divine was expressed through the natural order and the inherent goodness of the universe. He emphasized the importance of moral sense and the innate human capacity for virtue, which he saw as reflections of a higher, divine rationality. Shaftesbury argued that true understanding of the divine could be achieved through an appreciation of beauty, harmony, and moral sentiments in nature and human relationships. Ultimately, he viewed the divine as a guiding force that inspires ethical behavior and the pursuit of the common good.