Callings

Ferguson developed the idea of a profession as a calling, perhaps influenced by Calvin's teachings on this subject, which would be part of his Presbyterian upbringing:

Most men are sensible of many a change they have undergone in what they inclined to have, or were disposed to do. There is a manner of life, in which they were once awkward, but to which they are now familiar... the acquired disposition has the advantage of being attended with a talent or acquired power also. Both taken together are, in some instances termed an art or a calling. The mechanic seems to acquire it in his hands; the orator, in his speech; the student in his quickness of apprehension, in the extent of his views, or in his method of conceiving the order of nature; and the wise man, in the possession of a resolute conduct, which no first inclination, on his own part, or casual appearance of things from abroad, can distract. [1]

Each individual is called into a profession or occupation through his or her talents or interests, and sometimes by circumstances: "Men are made to diversify their employments, not only by a variety of disposition and faculty, but by a variety in the occasions also which they have to employ them."[2] And everyone has a role to play:

There is no human talent so far equal to all the purposes of life, as not to have occasion for co-operation or aid; and no person is so far insignificant, as not to be able, in some particular, to contribute to the welfare of others.[3] ... Employments are adapted to all the varieties of disposition, capacity, or genius. Separate departments are opened for the different descriptions of men; tasks of labour for the strong, or address and sleight of hand for those who are defective in strength; tasks of skill for the inventive and knowing; laws of nature to be investigated, and obscurities to be cleared up, by the ingenious and comprehensive.[4]

Hutcheson reflects on obligation to develop one's talents through the pursuit of knowledge:

The culture of our minds principally  consists in forming opinions about our duty; and in procuring a large store of valuable knowledge about the most important subjects: as indeed all branches of knowledge have some use, and contribute in some measure to happiness, either by the immediate pleasure, or by discovering more fully to us the divine perfections, or enabling us better to know and discharge our duty... All therefore who have abilities and proper opportunities, ought to apply themselves to improve their minds with an extensive knowledge of nature in the sciences... [5]

Specific Professions

Hutcheson provides a detailed treatment of the different professions and their social functions:

The dignity of arts or occupations depends on these two jointly, the use they afford to mankind, and the genius requisite for them. The profession designed to inculcate true principles of piety and virtue is always justly ranked among the most honourable on both accounts... Legislators, magistrates, administrators of justice, or such whose business it is to protect innocence against fraud and oppression, have honourable offices, both as they are exceedingly useful, and require great abilities... On the fame accounts the professions of the arts and sciences which afford sublime pleasures in theory, and great use in the practice, are justly honourable; such as mathematics, natural philosophy and history, medicine, and others. The arts of sculpture, painting, drawing, music, and elegant and magnificent architecture; tho' they are not subservient to the necessities of life, yet have always been reputable in civilized nations for the refined pleasures they afford, and the elegant genius requisite in the artist. The lower mechanick arts are of great ufe in life, but they are not fo much admired; becaufe talents fufficient for them are more common. And yet men employed in them may be truly honourable in the highest decree for most eminent virtues. Of these agriculture has been generally moft relished by the finestl spirits, not only for its advantages, but alfo for its delightful contemplations, variety of sweet exercifes and innocent pleafures... [6]

The spirit of  Hutcheson's teachings on the professions is captured in an address that he gave to the student body on his installation at Glasgow: "Go forward, then, in virtue, beloved young men, the hope of this generation and the glory, I trust, of the generation to come. Take nature and God as your guide, apply your minds to liberal studies, and lay down a varied store of useful knowledge which you may bring forth one day in all honorable, temperate, modest, and courageous service to our country and the human race.[7]

[1]Adam Ferguson, Principles of Moral and Political Science (Edinburgh: W. Creech, 1792), Vol. 1, 224.

[2] Ibid., Vol. 1, 246.

[3] Ibid., Vol. 1, 247.

[4] Ibid., Vol. 1, 250. 

[5] Francis Hutcheson, A Short Introduction to Moral Philosophy (Glasgow: Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1753), 81.

[6] Francis Hutcheson, A System of Moral Philosophy, Vol. 2, 114-115.

[7] Francis Hutcheson, "On the Natural Sociability of Mankind: Inaugural Oration" in Logic, Metaphysics, and the Natural Sociability of Mankind, ed. James Moore and Michael Silverthorne, (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2006).