Transcript Ideal spectator approach

Ideal spectator approach
Lecture 1:
Hume's general approach
First stages of his argument
Course bearings
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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
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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
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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
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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
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property rights
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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
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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