Hume’s Theory of Morality A Philosophical Exploration

Abstract

Moral Philosophy or ethics is that branch of philosophy which investigates the nature of good and bad, right and wrong, and how human beings ought to live. Each moral theory provides certain moral standard and principle in order to ascertain the moral worth of an individual’s action. One such ethical theory is that of 18th century moralist David Hume. David Hume is an eminent Scottish philosopher in the history of Western Philosophy, known for his empiricist theory of knowledge and philosophical scepticism. But he has also made important contribution to moral philosophy. Hume’s moral philosophy is primarily found in Book 3 of The Treatise of Human Nature and his Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. Hume’s moral theory was mostly influenced by the Scottish thinkers, such as - Francis Hutcheson and Third Earl of Shaftesbury; who have also emphasised the role of emotion in morality. He rejects the rationalist conception of morality which claims that through reason alone, human beings make moral evaluations and understand right and wrong. While influenced by his predecessors, Hume developed his moral theory which is primarily rooted in moral sentimentalism. He contends that morality is primarily based on ‘sentiments’ or ‘feelings’ rather than on universal reason. This is so because, for him, human beings in addition to our faculty of reason, have the requisite emotional capacities, which help us to determine that some action is ethically right or wrong, or a person has a virtuous moral character. This view of Hume is in contrast with Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy, who bases morality on reason and universal duty. Thus, Hume’s ethical thought basically deals with the questions about the role of sentiments in thought, action and morality, intimate relationship between human sentiments and morality and the nature of moral evaluation. The object of this paper is to give a short account of Hume’s moral theory by analysing Hume’s sentimentalism and the instrumental role of reason, and the consequences of his moral theory. In conclusion it seems to us that in spite of some objections raised against his moral theory, yet Hume’s moral theory has its own relevance.