Morality and Sentiment: David Hume

Hume's main focus is on one question in this reading: Does our morality come from our rational nature (reason) or our passional nature (Sentiment)? Both sides of the argument have developed full and complete claim as to why their side is sound in its reasoning, as well was pointing out the faults in the argument of the other side. 

Hume suggests that it is possible that BOTH sides are sound, and in turn, possibly both work to make moral decisions at the same time. In many instances we start with the instant reaction of sentiment but without the ability to reason we lack the ability to explain why we have sentiment. In other cases though, such as fine art, we require reasoning in order to produce the feelings of sentiment.

Although it is possible for both sides to work together, Hume claims that only one (reason or sentiment) can be the ultimate source of morality. The first reason Hume believes that the source cannot fall to reason, is because as morality is practical. Interestingly enough, reason does not spring people to action - making reason unable to be the cause of moral conduct. 

"What is honorable, what is fair, what is becoming, what is noble, what is generous, takes possession of the heart, and animates us to embrace and maintain it. What is intelligible, what is evident, what is probable, what is true, procures only cool assent of the understanding; and gratifying a speculative curiosity, puts an end to our research."

Without passion and warm feelings we have for virtue (sentiment), morality loses its practical study and its ability to impact our lives and actions.

The second reason Hume believes the source is not reason: despite our ability to know all the objective facts about a immoral situation, the wrongness of a person's actions cannot be found on a set list where we have created set moral judgments.

Reason either judges a matter of fact or matters of relations. 

Matters of fact are Crimes - a moral action where things are done against people who have shown good will to the offender. There is also a contrariety relationship though between the offender and the victim. In the end, "moral relationships are determined by the comparison of action to a rule. And that rule is determined by considering the moral relationships of objects."

Because of these two reasons, Hume believes that sentiment must be the source of (and determines) morality. That said, reason plays a role in rendering moral decisions. In to order understand situations we must know all the circumstances and the relationships, in order to distinguish new understanding through reason. Processing the circumstance, relationships, and the understandings through reason influence us to create new impressions in our sentiment, which we then use to make moral decisions.

Hume says that there are two great societal virtues - benevolence and justice, with the first being universally valued. Justice, on the other hand, sole reason is for utility as it gives action when virtue is idle - unworkable or unnecessary. The rules of inequity and justice rely solely on the state and condition in which man is placed.

"Personal merit consists altogether in the possession of mental qualities, useful or agreeable to the person himself or others."

Hume believes that some of an individuals passions do not come from personal concern, but a person's morality is based on sentiments having their origin of concern for others. These sentiments are universally shared because they are not influenced by personal considerations.

Virtues are items of personal merit. Anything that holds the same usefulness or agreeableness that is characteristic of personal merit are virtues.

Discussion Questions/Comments 

On page 138, Hume starts talking about how their is a distinction between fact and one of right and how it effects whether a person is a criminal or not. What is the difference between a mistake of fact and a mistake of right? Is he just talking about a mistake of morals is a mistake of right?

On page 141 right before 10, Hume is talking about justice and its necessity being derived from property and the need of ownership because of the labor it takes to produce enjoyments. Is this what Hume is really trying to say, or am I not following him correctly?

Key Terms/Definitions

Reason: a cause, explanation, or justification

Sentiment: A view or attitude toward a situation / Feeling or emotion
Virtue: whatever mental action or quality gives to a spectator the pleasing sentiment of approbation

Personal Merit: Mental qualities that arouse the sentiment of approbation


Amiable: having or displaying friendliness and pleasant manner

Odious: extremely unpleasant, repulsive

Beget: To bring into existence by reproduction; To give rise to/bring about

Speculative: engaged in, expressing, or based on opinion rather than knowledge; involving high risk

Crime: a moral action where things are done against people who have shown good will to the offender.

Contrariety: opposition or inconsistency between two or more things; contrary opposition
Laudable: deserving praise and commendation
Approbation: approval or praise
Requisite: made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations

Link to Reading: https://ereserve.plu.edu/protected/phil/b125_hume.pdf