Hume's Theory of Moral Judgment: A Study in the Unity of a Treatise of Human Nature

ISBN-13: 9781402002618 / Angielski / Miękka / 2001 / 184 str.

Walter Brand; W. Brand

Opis

This study offers an overall interpretation of Hume's Treatise of Human Nature. I have emphasized throughout the dialectic between associationism and a theory of critical judgment - the "combat" of Book I -which con- tinues in Books II and III and with no apparent winner. A theory of critical judgment is fIrst worked out in Book I under what Hume calls "general rules." The theory explains how unreasonable judgments may be made reasonable and is made use of again in Book III to correct partial evalua- tions. Two sorts of general rules compete for prescriptive claims and two sides of human nature, the untutored and the more cultivated and reflective, contribute to science and morality. of David Hume by Annette Baier I was fIrst introduced to the philosophy when she conducted a seminar on the Treatise at the Graduate Center of The City University of New York. Much of the enthusiasm I have sustained for Hume has been due to the teachings of Professor Baier and to the conversations I have had with her. I have profIted from the encouragement and suggestions of Nicholas Capaldi just prior to beginning the work. Charles Landesman, Martin Tamny, and Stephan Baumrin read earlier versions of the manuscript and offered many constructive criticisms. Joram Haber was readily available to hear out my ideas. I am grateful to my wife, Marianne, and children, Anna and Aaron, for their patience and support throughout the project.

Spis treści

Preface. Introduction. Part One: Hume's Analysis of Reason. Opening Remarks. One: Reason and Imagination. Distinctions of Reason. The Division of Reason. The Standard of Equality. Imaginative Supplementation. Two: General Rules. General Rules of the Imagination. The Regulative Rules of the Understanding. The Conflict of General Rules. Part Two: Hume's Analysis of Sympathy. Opening Remarks. Three: Sympathy and Judgment. The Sympathy Mechanism. Sympathy and Belief. Sympathy and Comparison. Four: Passion and Judgment. The Indirect Passions. Pride and Humility. Love and Hatred. Five: General Rules and the Impartial Point of View. Six: Conclusion. Notes. Bibliography. Index.