An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

Key themes

Reason vs. Sentiment in Morality

This is the central philosophical question Hume addresses. He argues against the rationalist tradition, positing that reason alone cannot be the source of moral distinctions or motivate moral action. Instead, he asserts that morality is fundamentally rooted in human sentiment, a 'moral taste' or feeling of approbation/disapprobation that arises from observing actions and characters. Reason, for Hume, serves to clarify facts and connections, but the ultimate judgment of good or bad comes from feeling.

Utility as the Foundation of Moral Approbation

Hume argues that a primary reason we approve of virtues and deem actions moral is their 'utility' – their tendency to promote the happiness, welfare, and interests of individuals and society. Virtues are valued because they are useful or agreeable, either to the possessor or to others. This emphasis on consequences and social benefit anticipates later utilitarian philosophy.

The Role of Sympathy and Humanity

Hume identifies 'sympathy' (or what he sometimes calls 'humanity') as a crucial mechanism through which we come to feel approbation for useful and agreeable qualities. Sympathy is our capacity to share in the feelings of others, to be affected by their happiness or misery, even if indirectly. It allows us to feel the positive impact of benevolent actions or the negative consequences of injustice, thereby leading to our moral judgment.

Worth discussing

To what extent do you agree with Hume's assertion that moral distinctions are derived from sentiment rather than reason? What implications does this have for contemporary ethical debates?