An Essay on the Principles of Human Action was written by

Correct option is D

An Essay on the Principles of Human Action was written by William Hazlitt. It was published in 1805. In the essay, Hazlitt argues that human beings are naturally disinterested and that they are motivated by a desire to promote the welfare of others. He also argues that human beings have a natural sense of justice and that they are drawn to actions that are right and good. Hazlitt's essay was influential in the development of Romantic philosophy. It helped to challenge the Enlightenment view of human beings as rational and self-interested creatures. Hazlitt was an English essayist, poet, and critic. He is best known for his essays on literature and politics. He was also a friend of many of the leading Romantic poets, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats.

Information Booster:
William Hazlitt (1778–1830):
Known for his essays, literary criticism, and philosophical writings.
Famous works include Table-Talk, The Spirit of the Age, and Characters of Shakespeare's Plays.
Hazlitt combined profound philosophical insights with a compelling, accessible prose style.
Themes in An Essay on the Principles of Human Action:
Focuses on disinterested action, arguing that humans can act with selfless motives.
Challenges the Hobbesian view that all human behavior stems from selfishness.
Explores moral imagination, showing how individuals are motivated by the welfare of others.

Additional Knowledge:
(a) Charles Lamb:
Lamb was an essayist famous for Essays of Elia and did not delve into philosophical inquiries like Hazlitt.
(b) Jean Jacques Rousseau:
Rousseau was a French philosopher known for works like The Social Contract and Discourse on Inequality, focusing on political and social philosophy rather than Hazlitt's theme of disinterested action.
(c) William Godwin:
Godwin, a political philosopher and novelist, is associated with Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and Caleb Williams, which focus on political reform rather than moral psychology.