Hume’s Moral Sentimentalism

1. Hume’s Moral Sentimentalism July 10, 2012

2. REASON “gets the facts straight” while SENTIMENT makes the moral judgment. Reason vs. Sentiment

3. Subtle Distinctions

4. The Basic Human Sentiment is composed of two aspects: • Sympathy • Benevolence • Humans who are do not have these aspects are somehow “broken.” Basic Human Sentiment

5. Justice is a virtue, but it is artificial. • If there were abundance, there would be no need for justice. • If there were absolute scarcity or lawlessness, there would be no need for justice. • Justice and other artificial virtues (e.g. chastity) are esteemed because they are useful. Natural vs. Artificial Virtues

6. Why Utility Pleases (Enquiry, Section 5)

7. Given the Basic Human Sentiment, our moral feelings are NATURAL. • Thus, any morality that requires one to violate one’s own (natural) moral feelings will lack (a) applicability, (b) internalsupport, and, given Hume’s moral psychology, (c) externalsupport. Human Nature

8. The human countenance, says HORACE, borrows smiles or tears from the human countenance.” (Enquiry V.2.18) The moral egoist presupposes that one’s moral sentiment is under their control, but it is not. Our sympathy with others is natural: “How delicate is our sympathy!” (Enquiry V.2.37) Basic Human Sentiment vs. Moral Egoism

9. The intercourse of sentiments, therefore, in society and conversation, makes us form some general unalterable standard.” (EnquiryV.2.42) • It appears also, that, in our general approbation of characters and manners, the useful tendency of the social virtues moves us not by any regards to self-interest, but has an influence much more universal and extensive.” (Enquiry V.2.45) Basic Human Sentiment as Universal

10. When a man denominates another his enemy, his rival, his antagonist, his adversary, he is understood to speak the language of self-love, and to express sentiments, peculiar to himself, and arising from his particular circumstances and situation. But when he bestows on any man the epithets of vicious or odious or depraved, he then speaks another language, and expresses sentiments, in which, he expects, all his audience are to concur with him.” (Enquiry IX.1.6) Basic Human Sentiment as Universal

11. Hume’s Moral Theory

12. What praise is implied by the simple epithet useful!” (Enquiry II.2.13) Things and/or states of affairs are valuable insofar as they are esteemed useful. The Epithet “Useful”

13. Something is INTRINSICALLY GOOD if it always esteemed with approbation (love/pride). • Something is INTRINSICALLY BAD if it always esteemed with disapprobation (hate/shame). Theory of Value

14. A person is VIRTUOUS if one’s character is one that is held in good esteem (love/pride). • A person is VICIOUS if one’s character is one that is not held in good esteem (hate/shame). Theory of Character

15. An action is FORBIDDEN if, upon correctly judging that such an action happened, one feels disapprobation (hate/shame). • An action is PERMISSIBLE if, upon correctly judging that such an action happened, one feels approbation (love/pride). • An action is OBLIGATORY if, upon correctly judging that such an action happened, one deems the action the very best action one could do. Theory of Conduct

16. Hume’s Account of the Virtues

17. All virtues have to be capable of being explained in one of three ways: • Qualities useful to ourselves • Qualities agreeable to ourselves • Qualities agreeable to others Virtues

18. Discretion • Industry • Frugality • Strength of Mind • Memory Qualities Useful to Ourselves

19. Chearfulness (sic.) • Greatness of Mind • Courage • Tranquility • Benevolence • Delicacy of Taste (cf. Mill’s competent judge) Qualities Agreeable to Ourselves

20. Politeness • Wit • Decency • Cleanliness • Manners Qualities Agreeable to Others