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Enlightenment And The Scottish Enlightenment

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This essay considers the interactions of three prominent thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment on the “Science of Man” that expanded the understanding of the facets of human nature. The Scottish Enlightenment was a socio-political system in the eighteenth century in response to the old regime of absolute monarchy1. The Monarchs expanded the authority of God by establishing the concept of divine right. In opposition, intellectuals attempted to seek a different method of inspecting human nature, hence the topic of science of man was established. (ASDASDASDASDASD) Science of man in the Scottish Enlightenment included several philosophical systems and prominent theorists in the broader Enlightenment. Hume first introduces his version of “Science …show more content…

Hume proved his claim by first disproving reason as the foundation of morality, then proving sentiment as the true foundation of morality. Thereupon, Hume specified sympathy as the sentiment forming the basis of morality by claiming that sentiments of moral approval and disapproval are caused by the functions of sympathy.

 Although Hume believed it was possible for both reason and sentiment to work together to make moral decisions, he disagreed with the idea of reason being the sole foundation of morality: "It appears evident that the ultimate ends of human actions can never, in any case, be accounted by reason” (Hume, 144). The reason was due to the practical nature of morality. Strangely enough, as reason does not provoke people into action, it was unable to be the cause of moral conduct. Furthermore, according to Hume: ”What is honourable, 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” (Hume, 150). Without fervour and warm feelings we have for virtue (sentiment), morality would lose its practical …show more content…

For example, they both believed that whatever role reason might have in explaining moral thought, an appeal to reason alone, unattended by sentiment, was inadequate. Moreover, they believed that what causes and what frustrates human happiness, what generates gratitude or resentment, and what conforms to or violates certain principles, would leave an undiscovered distinction favouring any of these facts over the others. Furthermore, they both believed that our capacity to sympathise with the sentiments of others is crucial. If that capacity for sympathy were entirely absent, so too would be moral thought and

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At the same time, Hume also establishes a connection between one’s sympathy with the feelings of pleasure and pain, which an action or its motive requires. By the nature and force of sympathy, a representative 's motive, producing pleasure is approved while pain is disapproved. The approval or disapproval lies at the heart of moral evaluation. Hume argues that it is sympathy which arouses moral sentiments.

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In the second section, he mentions that philosophers before him have spoken of the “frailty and impurity” of human nature. Kant goes on to say how reason should legislate for human nature, but at that time it was only used to look after the interest of inclinations. He expresses how he wishes that reason, instead of human nature, had a more vital role when discussing morality. Furthermore, he explains that “moral law is of such widespread significance that it must hold not merely for men but for all rational beings generally, and it must hold not merely under contingent conditions and with exceptions, but it should be absolutely necessary.” In this quote, Kant emphasizes the absolute and universal nature of moral law, and how moral principles are not limited to specific people or circumstances but apply to all rational beings equally.

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David Hume was a scottish historian, economist, and perhaps one of the greatest philosophers of his time. His radical on religion, politics, and humanity sent shockwaves through the political and social circles of his time. David Hume was a well-versed political strategist having been assistant to general St. Clair in the conquest of canada, and a member of the British embassy in Paris. David Hume was a naturalist, brushing against certain aspects of christian theology in his works “A Treatise of Human Nature” and “The Natural History of Religion”. David Hume provided new, enlightened ideas influenced by philosophy of the era in which he lived.

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At the same time, Hume also establishes a connection between one’s sympathy with the feelings of pleasure and pain, which an action or its motive requires. By the nature and force of sympathy, a representative's motive, producing pleasure is approved while pain is disapproved. The approval or disapproval lies at the heart of moral evaluation. Hume argues that it is sympathy which arouses moral sentiments.

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