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Ideal spectator approach Lecture 1: Hume's general approach First stages of his argument Course bearings Part II: Ethical rationalism, 5 lectures (completed) Part III: Hume’s ideal spectator approach, 3 lectures Part IV: Utilitarianism (Mill), an application of Hume’s approach, 3 lectures Midterm exam on all this Some contrasts RATIONALISM HUME Morality binding on all rational beings Morality a specifically human phenomenon Moral philosophy is "a priori" Moral philosophy is empirical Morality is knowable by reason Morality is based on sentiment Organization of the text Section 1 Sections 2-4 Question 1: Is morality based on reason or sentiment? Question 2: Why do virtues elicit our moral admiration and approval? Answer to question 2 for benevolence, justice, and political virtue Section 5 and Appendix 1 Defense of Hume's answer to question 1 Sections 6-8 Answer to question 2 for other virtues Section 9 Part I: Recapitulation of the argument Part II: Is it in one's self-interest to be moral? Benevolence Any of several qualities stemming from a concern for others Examples: friendship, gratitude, public spirit, generosity We approve of these because of their socially beneficial consequences: the “happiness and satisfaction” they provide to people Empirical evidence When praising benevolence, we cite beneficial effects Citing harmful effects is taken as moral criticism Disputes are resolved by this criterion Alms Liberality in princes Tyrannicide Justice Justice = the rules of property and the virtues that dispose people to adhere to them We approve of these because of their socially beneficial consequences (their social “utility”) Circumstances of justice Extreme generosity Extreme scarcity Moderate scarcity Limited altruism Extreme rapaciousness X X X X property rights X X X X Abundance Contrast with Locke Principle or right Hume Locke Original appropriation Incentive reasons Natural law Inheritance Incentive reasons Natural law Free exchange Promotes beneficial commerce Natural law Obligation through contract Promotes mutual confidence and trust Natural law Political society We approve of political institutions and the corresponding virtues of citizenship because of their social utility Thus no reason in principle for Locke’s minimal state
