In 1711, Lord Shaftesbury published 'Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times,' advocating for an innate 'moral sense' and the aesthetic harmony of the universe. His work challenged the egoism of Hobbes and emphasized the importance of virtue and moral philosophy. Shaftesbury's ideas contributed to the development of Enlightenment thought and influenced subsequent philosophers in their exploration of ethics and aesthetics.

Lord Shaftesbury's 'Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times' introduced the concept of 'moral sense,' which significantly influenced the development of sentimental literature. This notion resonated in the poetry of the Augustan era, where poets sought to capture the complexities of human emotion and social interaction.