Hume's moral theory as expressed in his a treatise of human nature and enquiries concerning human understanding and concerning the principles of morals

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2007

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Gülcan, Nur Yeliz

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The aim of this study is to examine Hume’s moral theory as expressed in his two main books, Treatise and Enquiry and to show the defects of this theory. Without explaining some basic doctrines such as moral motivation, moral judgment, sympathy, passions, virtues, justice e.t.c., it is not possible to understand Hume’s moral theory. To this aim, first, Hume’s moral theory is explained in detail. Next, in order to provide a deeper understanding of the theory, its relation with his epistemology and his aesthetics are explained. Afterwards, few philosophers who influenced Hume’s thought such as Hobbes, Mandeville, Hutcheson have been briefly discussed. Consequently, it is claimed that Hume’s moral theory has a heterogeneous structure so it is difficult to understand his moral theory. Hume’s moral theory contains an ambiguity due to his conception of sympathy, which has led to some misinterpretations.

Subject Keywords

Ethics., Individual Ethics, Character, Virtue.

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http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12609088/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/17441

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats

N. Y. Gülcan, “Hume’s moral theory as expressed in his a treatise of human nature and enquiries concerning human understanding and concerning the principles of morals,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2007.