ipl-logo

Huma David Hume Loss Of Sympathy Essay

2227 Words9 Pages

Müge Neda Altınoklu Şenay
29 April 2016

An ethical problem of modernity: Loss of sympathy?

While reading the moral philosophy of David Hume, I have considered that the virtue of sympathy proposed by Hume as an essential motive for human conduct has a vital place for understanding the ethical problem of modern epoch. Although Hume saw sympathy as a key for getting out from the “wild uncultivated state” and as the foundation of justice, thinking about our epoch within this perspective seems to me highly problematical. Within this purpose, in this paper I will briefly discuss the the related aspects of the moral philosophy of David Hume, then I will discuss the problem of modernity which I called “loss of sympathy” within the framework proposed by David Hume. …show more content…

In Humean approach, these questions are central in order to understand both the important role of human psychology, the constitution of social relations and the formation of society. We can claim that Hume’s central concern is man, so that’s why the foundation of morality occupies an important place in Humean philosophy. As Hume suggested, “as the science of man is the only solid foundation for the other sciences, so the only solid foundation we can give to this science itself must be laid on experience and observation” (T, 6). According to Hume, experimental approach based on experience provides us to reach “to the study of human nature and his theory of mental faculties” (EHU, 11). To him, the collection and comparison of experiments gained through observation of human life provide to a philosopher more accurate human comprehension (T,

Show More
Related

Analysis Of Sympathy By Susan B Anthony

797 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout human history, cases of racism, segregation, and the denial of woman’s suffrage have made ubiquitous appearances in America; in simpler terms, the natural rights of African Americans and women have been ignored. In these times of injustice, two obscure American citizens, a poet and a speaker, made monumental influences on the rights that people have today. Paul Laurence Dunbar, a great African-American poet, and Susan B. Anthony, a woman’s suffrage activist, each wrote a great piece of literature that showed their struggles for equal rights. Although Dunbar’s poem, “Sympathy,” and Anthony’s speech, “After Being Convicted Of Voting In The 1872 Presidential Election,” have the same theme of having equal rights among everyone, these authors’ purpose and expression of these two texts have different aspects to it that set it

Read More

Analysis Of Jonathon Edward's Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

1039 Words | 5 Pages

However, the Humanists believed differently, they emphasized what the man can do himself and for others; this is how they please God (Lawson “The Revolutionary Period and the Age of Reason Background”). In present day, it seems that humanity does good deeds to help make a better world; however, people can be selfish and afraid of consequences that make them do well for themselves in certain situations.

Read More

Martha Nussbaum's Argument Analysis

1217 Words | 5 Pages

When it comes to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, I believe that he has found a common thread in humanity in the fact that humans strive for the moderate in living virtuously. However, I would argue that the thread is varied enough to have no true worth in discerning the aspects of humanity. People have too different moralities and goals. Because Aristotle allows for these “local variations”, as Martha Nussbaum later terms in her defense of Aristotle, he is acknowledging that there cannot be an overarching analysis of humanity.

Read More

Adam Smith's Theory Of Moral Sentiments

1655 Words | 7 Pages

Despite being primarily known as an economist, Adam Smith assumed the role of a moral philosopher in writing The Theory of Moral Sentiments. In the work, he develops a unique moral theory that intertwines a reality based on human observation with an ideal that arises from Smith’s thoughts on the way people should be. In order to establish a foundation, Smith begins by describing the feeling of sympathy as being one that is shared by all humans. His discourse on sympathy, formed predominantly on observations, shifts to the theoretical topic of judging the propriety or impropriety of others and ourselves. These judgments are what ultimately form the basis of what is just and what is unjust, often being abstracted into general rules about justice.

Read More

Civility In Plato's Republic

870 Words | 4 Pages

One offering a dire account of human nature and the other seemingly redeeming it. This seems somewhat familiar to Locke and Hobbes’ differing accounts of the same. As such, this paper will examine and compare Locke and Glaucon's account on the origin and essence of justice. Moreover, in comparing both accounts,

Read More

Morality In Socrates 'The Ring Of Gyges'

661 Words | 3 Pages

If the opportunity arose, where no consequences were given for someone’s actions, do you think that individual will still commit an unfavorable action such as killing for his own personal need? In “The Ring of Gyges” the disposition of justice is called into question. As humans continue to live we must contemplate the true driving force for our morality. A discussion between Socrates and Glaucon is one main focal point into explaining the differences in how humans truly established their morality. Glaucon believes humans are restrained by consequences and human’s happiness comes from being an unjust person rather than Socrates’ belief of being just truly leads to happiness.

Read More

The Moral Of The Story: An Introduction To Ethics By Nina Rosenstand

577 Words | 3 Pages

Emotionalism: The theory of philosopher David Hume, that human morality is based on our

Read More

Hume's Argument Of Morality

415 Words | 2 Pages

In the following essay, I will be assessing Hume’s argument that morality is based on sentiment and giving examples to help illustrate that point of view. Along with Hume’s main argument, I will also discuss possible counter-arguments that could arise based on the beliefs of Immanuel Kant, a philosopher who lived at the same time as Hume, but had very opposing views on morality. David Hume, an 18th century Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist is known best for his bold skeptical approach to a range of philosophical subjects. Being a skeptic, he questioned common knowledge and even argued that there is no true and permanent “self”. He states that it is an illusion created by our unfounded trust in cause and effect.

Read More

Immanuel Kant Research Paper

966 Words | 4 Pages

In The Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785), the great Western thinker Immanuel Kant outlines some of his thoughts on some of the most fundamental of moral concepts, laying the groundwork for many future philosophers and students of ethics. Kant's ideas are, however, fairly challenging, both to modern-day readers of his works and to the thinkers of Kant's time that relied on contemporary utilitarian and hedonistic theories, or on objective good lists. Kant refutes these theories by promoting the examiniation of the act, rather than the consequences of the act, or the intentions behind it. Kant's sterile rejection of consequential pleasure, pain, or any motivation to do good in determining the moral worth of an act is controversial.

Read More

David Hume's Sentimentalism Analysis

100 Words | 1 Pages

Kristy, you did a good job of answering the question based on Hume 's sentimentalism approach! I liked how you used passion for explaining why privacy is a right. That someone may sense a calm or violent passion when their privacy information is stolen. I would be upset too if someone accessed my bank account or other important information without my permission. Also, passion has nothing to do with reason because reason is not the answer to everything but are based on emotions.

Read More

David Hume Enlightenment Ideas

921 Words | 4 Pages

In a very broad sense, Hume built his theories under the idea that “experience” is the only way one can realize the extent of their knowledge. Today, he is regarded as a preeminent figure of the Enlightenment,

Read More

Nietzsche's 'On The Genealogy Of Morality'

2015 Words | 9 Pages

Furthermore, the detrimental side of morality has placed itself within us in the means of understanding ourselves, making it difficult to picture our lives functioning in a way other than how it is right now. Thus, it is argued that we face a problematic restoration project that must be deconstructed, studied, and reconstructed in a healthier form. The development of this is seen in the work On the Genealogy of Morality which includes the First Treatise striking on the conception of what morality is as a historical innovation, the Second Treatise touches on guilt and bad conscience which pertains to the danger moralized guilt poses on psychological health; the Third Treatise explores idealization of asceticism as means of intensifying self-punishment. It is emphasized how purified guilt is naturally conscripted

Read More

Thesis Statement: Origin Of Morality: Religion And Philosophy

1634 Words | 7 Pages

Thesis Statement: Origin of Morality Outline A.Universal Ethics 1.Karl Barth, The Command of God 2.Thomas Aquinas, The Natural Law 3.Thomas Hobbes, Natural Law and Natural Right 4.Immanuel Kant, The Categorical Imperative B.Morality and Practical Reason 1.Practical Reason a.Practical Reason and Practical Reasons C.Evolution of Morality 1.What makes Moral Creatures Moral 2.Explaining the Nature of Moral Judgments F. Answering Questions 1. What is the origin of Morality: Religion or Philosophy? 2. What does religion say about morality?

Read More

Theories Of Utilitarianism, Kantianism, And Aristotelianism

1163 Words | 5 Pages

Throughout history many great philosophers have attempted to unravel the origins of virtues by developing moral theories of their own. This document is designed to provide the reader with an overview of some of the more popular theories concerning morals. Three of the most popular moral theories are… Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism. Though Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism differ in many ways, they also share similar fundamentals. Utilitarianism is a highly acclaimed theory that is morally based on consequentialism.

Read More

The Pros And Cons Of Kant's Categorical Imperative

1222 Words | 5 Pages

Ethics and the search for a good moral foundation first drew me into the world of philosophy. It is agreed that the two most important Ethical views are from the world’s two most renowned ethical philosophers Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. In this paper, I will explore be analyzing Mill’s Greatest Happiness Principle and Kant’s Categorical Imperative. In particular, I want to discuss which principle provides a better guideline for making moral decisions. And which for practical purposes ought to be taught to individuals.

Read More

More about Huma David Hume Loss Of Sympathy Essay

Related Topics

Open Document