The Role of Emotions in Humes Moral Philosophy

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Hume's theory is famous for rejecting ethical rationalism, purporting those moral distinctions are not based on reason alone, and some other capacities influence moral decisions of human nature. Hume’s theory tries to define the relationship between morality and reason. Human beings have emotions and feelings, consequential to their moral thoughts and actions. According to (Strawson & Allais 2018), many philosophers believed in the rationalist concept of reason, alluding that human beings reason, which separates them from the natural world in making valid decisions. Reason and emotions are significant sentiments in Hume's theory of morality. Emotions are powerful and contribute to human action. Hume's theory responds to philosophers who believe in reason as the basis of moral distinctions. This essay will support Hume’s arguments sentiments of emotions as the foundation of morality rather than reason alone in making moral distinctions in society. Reason alone cannot be a standard of morality. Reason perpetuates both truth and falsehood. In his influence argument, Hume does not decline that reason cannot be a basis of moral evaluation. He is more specific in using “reason alone’ in moral distinctions. Human beings are rational and cannot solely be based on reason. They are voids of emotions and feelings that define their approach to evil and good. Hume believes in the practicality of moral beliefs in curbing human behavior (Whelan, 2017). Society has moral norms that regulate immorality. According to society's view on morality, stealing another person's property is wrong. Stealing is a universal norm that is prohibited, and rational human beings believe in this sentiment. However, people steal for various reasons, and a mere ideology that human nature reasons and makes distinct judgments becomes lunacy. The sentiments of human passions and desires surpass the attribute of reason alone. Human beings believe that overeating sugary foods are dangerous for their health, but they will continue consuming sugary beverages and eating cakes and chocolates, following their passions and desires. The motives of the will to human action cannot be influenced by reason alone. Reason is only informative on good or bad but does not impulse human activity. There has to be a desire for good health in an individual to stop eating sugary foods. The motivational force in achieving a goal does not lie in human reason. The choices of an individual are not influenced by reason. For instance, an individual can succumb to doing what is unreasonable in the eyes of the right-thinking men in society. Still, the wrong passion and desires compel the outrageous act. Reason alone will not prevent an individual from choosing to kill a person. It is not justifiable to kill someone, but Hume's theory provides a basis for discussion in this context. Other than reason, other factors compelled this person to perform this atrocity. Through this analogy, Hume discusses a sensitive aspect that shapes morality in society. The reasoning capacity of an individual cannot influence the will; that is why human beings will continue to make destructive decisions that are not reasonable, justifying Hume's theory that there is something behind such decisions. Reason alone cannot produce action. According to (Dethier 2021), philosophers use the ‘truth apt’ is deducing what is universally true. For instance, Russia is the largest country in the world by area. The statement is confirmed by statistical and empirical evidence. This analogy bases on facts of reason. The sentiments of emotions such as anger and happiness result from an external influence. Following this argument, we can deduce that our moral distinctions are not influenced by reason; humans encounter externalities that push them to the deviance of what society terms as reasonable....