Britannica Sources used in this answer

How many epistles are included in An Essay on Man?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

An Essay on Man, a philosophical work by the English author Alexander Pope, consists of four epistles.1

These four sections explore the following themes:

  • First Epistle: Surveys the relationship between humans and the universe.1
  • Second Epistle: Discusses humans as individuals.1
  • Third Epistle: Addresses the relationship between the individual and society.1
  • Fourth Epistle: Examines the potential of the individual for happiness.1