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An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals
This new volume in the Clarendon Hume series presents a definitive scholarly edition of one of the greatest works in the history of philosophy. In his elegant and lucid Enquiry Hume gives us an accessible presentation of a fully developed ethical theory. The distinguished Hume scholar Tom L. Beauchamp presents an authoritative text accompanied by introduction, annotation,
...morePaperback, 122 pages
Published
October 1st 2003
by Hackett Publishing Company
(first published 1951)
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Hume's moral philosophy, though preferable to the childish and ridiculous approach of his contemporary Kant, is incredibly tedious reading when compared to his other work, and far less philosophically astute or argumentatively valid.
The whole project is a bit strange. He seems to accept much of what Hobbes argued, but then reduce what Hobbes thought was the foundation and basis of ethics to simply a prerequisite for morality to exist. Then he argues the famous case re: shared sentiment, etc., w...more
The whole project is a bit strange. He seems to accept much of what Hobbes argued, but then reduce what Hobbes thought was the foundation and basis of ethics to simply a prerequisite for morality to exist. Then he argues the famous case re: shared sentiment, etc., w...more
This was Hume's favourite of all his writing. For me personally, I much prefer the relevant parts of the Treatise. Although this is an easier read, it is less philosophically enlightening - or at least I find it harder to get to the philosophical core. However, like all of Hume's writing it is a rather fabulous book.
There are many versions of this book, but it is Beauchamp's introduction which makes it worth buying this specific version. It is a really useful summary, not only of this second enq...more
There are many versions of this book, but it is Beauchamp's introduction which makes it worth buying this specific version. It is a really useful summary, not only of this second enq...more
Hume is the moral philosopher who is most recognizable as a fellow modern human being. In his short autobiographical "My Own Life", he says that the Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals is "incomparably the best" of all his writings (though he admits that he isn't the one to judge that).
Reading this for the first time, I was surprised at how little "philosophy" is in it--by that, I mean how little complicated argumentation there is. Most of the arguments are short and direct: against som...more
Reading this for the first time, I was surprised at how little "philosophy" is in it--by that, I mean how little complicated argumentation there is. Most of the arguments are short and direct: against som...more
Hume is such an optimist, it's both adorable and gross. All philosophies, religions, treatises, works, etc. require a leap of faith, and if you accept that our inborn, instinctive sentiment for our fellow human beings form the basis of our morality, then Hume's work is internally consistent. While I think it's a nice idea, and I would love to live in such a world, it doesn't exist on a macroscopic scale. Is this leap of faith more convincing than the one required for religious texts? Yes, it's e...more
One of the finest works on skeptical ethics ever written. Hume can retreat from the common worldview and bring moral problems under examination through the use of skeptical inquiry. From there, he can puzzle the work back together. building and ethical foundation built upon validity.
Oct 15, 2011
Donquierafaber
added it
I feel like Hume isn't actually building up a philosophical argument, rather he is simply pontificating on his personal views. Also, he doesn't talk about what he seems to set out to talk about, namely whether morals are derived from reason or sentiment.
In this, Hume presents his empirical view of ethics. The focal point of this is his view of "sympathy", which states that man, by nature, only will do what he would want done in return to him.
I disagree with Hume about almost everything. However, this book is thought-provoking and I thought his reply to those who argue that everything we do is out of self-love was entertaining, and true.
On reste un peu sur sa faim. Mais j'ai bien aimé la comparaison des moeurs des anciens avec celle des modernes !
I love Humes other work but this book was outright tedious.
Don't exactly agree, but interesting nevertheless.
Virtues Hume style.
None
everyone wants happiness. noone wants to suffer. to love is to bring happiness. you can't find that in a book.
Much like Hume's previous works, An Enquiry Concering the Principles of Morals attempts to reduce a common philosophical quandary to mere common sense through empirical observations. Hume believes that all morality can be reduced to human sentiment, our emotions, and the utility which our actions provide.
Ultimately, Hume resolves much of his contemporary conflicts and objections but under more scrutiny his conclusions have their own problems.
Ultimately, Hume resolves much of his contemporary conflicts and objections but under more scrutiny his conclusions have their own problems.
He ain't no Kant.
It would be one thing if all Hume did was ask the question, instead, he gives some quite pathetic answers that professors still cram down student's throats.
Brilliant. But I still find an ethics based entirely from utility a little hard to swallow. Not that I can find a significant hole in the argument here...
trying to teach this to my students who have a middle school vocabulary and understanding of english .. oh, why did i say yes?!
Got a little more than halfway through it, still couldn't find any theory of morals, just so much drivel.
If his essay on suicide is in any way related, then I'll probably be looking forward to this...
Never mind that he liked dirty pics. He was right-on on so many things.
Both enquiries pale deeply in comparison to the Treatise.
Feb 03, 2008
Lane Wilkinson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
philosophy,
18th-century
it's all about the sentiment, baby.
Jun 18, 2013
Quince Mabry
marked it as to-read
Jun 18, 2013
Smote
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Jun 17, 2013
Tara
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David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian. He is an important figure in Western philosophy, and in the history of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Hume first gained recognition and respect as a historian, but academic interest in Hume's work has in recent years centered on his philosophical writing. His History of England was the standard work on English history for many years, unt...more
More about David Hume...
Hume first gained recognition and respect as a historian, but academic interest in Hume's work has in recent years centered on his philosophical writing. His History of England was the standard work on English history for many years, unt...more
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“Historians, and even common sense, may inform us, that, however specious these ideas of perfect equality may seem, they are really, at bottom, impracticable; and were they not so, would be extremely pernicious to human society. Render possessions ever so equal, men's different degrees of art, care, and industry will immediately break that equality. Or if you check these virtues, you reduce society to the most extreme indigence; and instead of preventing want and beggary in a few, render it unavoidable to the whole community. The most rigorous inquisition too is requisite to watch every inequality on its first appearance; and the most severe jurisdiction, to punish and redress it. But besides, that so much authority must soon degenerate into tyranny, and be exerted with great partialities; who can possibly be possessed of it, in such a situation as is here supposed? Perfect equality of possessions, destroying all subordination, weakens extremely the authority of magistracy, and must reduce all power nearly to a level, as well as property.
We may conclude, therefore, that in order to establish laws for the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature and situation of man; must reject appearances, which may be false, though specious; and must search for those rules, which are, on the whole, most useful and beneficial.”
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We may conclude, therefore, that in order to establish laws for the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature and situation of man; must reject appearances, which may be false, though specious; and must search for those rules, which are, on the whole, most useful and beneficial.”
