The Compelling Foundations of Humes Moral Sentiment Theory

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Introduction. David Hume’s moral philosophy attributes that morals are derived from moral sentiments such as feelings of approval and disapproval, while some other vices and virtues are natural. Hume refutes that claim rationalists’ belief in that human understanding of right and wrong is based on reason alone. Hume’s analogy comes by deducing various philosophical claims that human ability to reason separates them from the rest of the world. the concept f reason alone is powerless and needs backup from passion, emotions and feelings. These key elements play a significant role in defining Hume’s theory of Moral philosophy. Philosophers and thinkers on the exposition and Development of Humes’s Theory According to (Devettere 2002) the view of moral character held by Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics and their views were the starting point of discussions of moral character. Hume rejects the views of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas and Descartes who made the ability to reason the basis of moral evaluation. Immanuel Kante credited David Hume for waking him up from “dogmatic slumber” and describes his critique of pure reason as one of the most important works of human philosophy (Erdel 2019). Hume awakened many philosophers, scientists and sociologists to develop their theories, for instance, Auguste Comte's development of positivism and Jeremy Bentham's development of utilitarianism. Hume’s work conceived philosophical evaluations on the concept of morality. Relevance of Hume’s Theory to the Contemporary world Hume’s theory is the basis of many philosophical positions and distinctions to various researchers. It is an inspiration to various ethical theories relevant in society today. Hume helps distinguish between matters of facts and matters of value in which we can obtain moral judgment in society today. through the repetition of certain...