David Hume's Theory Of Morality
John Minton
Philosophy 112
Professor Fox
11 April 2016
Hume
Introduction
In the Treatise of Nature, Hume raises the meaning of the basic principles of morality. He states, “reason is the slave of the passions”, meaning that since Hume was a sentimentalist who held that ethics are based on emotion or sentiment rather than abstract moral principle. Hume believed that sentiment or emotion motivated us to obey rules to determine what is morally good. However, comparing it to Aristotle who argues that emotion or sentiment only arises in a well-ordered individual. When looking at these two moral theories who is right? Which truly motivates behavior? Which is more fundamental to the generation of moral principles?
Summary
Hume discusses …show more content…
However, Hume’s moral theory is not solely based on reason because limiting reason alone cannot influence the will or oppose a passion. Since, it is limited to discovering truth or relations of ideas, reason therefore can’t supply motivation to act,but can merely discover the truth of presuppositions of the passions. However, Hume famously says that reason is and should be the “slave” of the passions. He denies the existence of practical reasoning, understood as reasoning that makes us …show more content…
The reason I agree with Hume and not Aristotle is because the basis of reason is that reason is driven by passion and I believe that to be true. The reason so is that based on Aristotle and how the well ordered individual is only based on reason and passions do not interfere is wrong because we have to have some reason to act in a certain way which is through sentiments or passions. Since the passions in themselves, passions can never be true or false, so they cannot conflict with reason. Although the term passions in Hume’s day wasn’t limited to turbulent emotions, Hume extends it even more widely, so that preferences, desires, and dispositions count as passions. Where as, Aristotle believes morals come from virtues which is true but to have those virtues you have to have passions such as helping out others whether it be at a homeless shelter or on the street, something is driving you to be
Philosophy 112
Professor Fox
11 April 2016
Hume
Introduction
In the Treatise of Nature, Hume raises the meaning of the basic principles of morality. He states, “reason is the slave of the passions”, meaning that since Hume was a sentimentalist who held that ethics are based on emotion or sentiment rather than abstract moral principle. Hume believed that sentiment or emotion motivated us to obey rules to determine what is morally good. However, comparing it to Aristotle who argues that emotion or sentiment only arises in a well-ordered individual. When looking at these two moral theories who is right? Which truly motivates behavior? Which is more fundamental to the generation of moral principles?
Summary
Hume discusses …show more content…
However, Hume’s moral theory is not solely based on reason because limiting reason alone cannot influence the will or oppose a passion. Since, it is limited to discovering truth or relations of ideas, reason therefore can’t supply motivation to act,but can merely discover the truth of presuppositions of the passions. However, Hume famously says that reason is and should be the “slave” of the passions. He denies the existence of practical reasoning, understood as reasoning that makes us …show more content…
The reason I agree with Hume and not Aristotle is because the basis of reason is that reason is driven by passion and I believe that to be true. The reason so is that based on Aristotle and how the well ordered individual is only based on reason and passions do not interfere is wrong because we have to have some reason to act in a certain way which is through sentiments or passions. Since the passions in themselves, passions can never be true or false, so they cannot conflict with reason. Although the term passions in Hume’s day wasn’t limited to turbulent emotions, Hume extends it even more widely, so that preferences, desires, and dispositions count as passions. Where as, Aristotle believes morals come from virtues which is true but to have those virtues you have to have passions such as helping out others whether it be at a homeless shelter or on the street, something is driving you to be