Hume on the Nature of Morality
Hume on the Nature of Morality
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USDDavid Hume's moral system involves considerations that seem at odds with one another. He insists on the reality of moral distinctions, while showing that they are founded on the human constitution. He notes the importance to morality of the consequences of actions, while emphasizing that motives are the subjects of moral judgments. He appeals to facts about human psychology as the basis for an argument that morality is founded, not on reason, but on sentiment. Yet, he insists that no “ought” can follow from an “is.” He thinks that our motivation to justice must derive from our nature. Yet, he wonders how to explain why anyone would be motivated to follow rules when doing so does not further their personal interests. As an empiricist, his approach is descriptive, yet morality is prescriptive. This Element addresses these puzzles in Hume's moral theory, with reference to historical and contemporary discussions.
Product details
February 2022Adobe eBook Reader
9781108600644
0 pages
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- 1. Overview: Issues and Texts
- 2. Metaethics: Hume's Case Against Moral Rationalism
- 3. Metaethics: Morality Founded on Sentiment
- 4. Virtue: Artificial and Natural
- 5. Hume on Is and Ought
- 6. Does Hume Have a Normative Ethics?
- 7. The Value of Hume's Moral Philosophy.
