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Volumn 26, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 231-255

A philosopher in his closet: Reflexivity and justification hume's moral theory

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EID: 84875328346     PISSN: 00455091     EISSN: 19110820     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/00455091.1996.10717452     Document Type: Article
Times cited : (16)

References (28)
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    • Of the Study of History’ in
    • Miller F., (ed), Indianapolis: Liberty Classics, Eugene Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Essays.’ I should mention (as David Fate Norton has pointed out to me) that Hume did not think this essay was particularly good, writing for instance a letter to Adam Smith, In that [1748] Edition [of Essays moral & political], I was engagd to act contrary to my Judgement retaining the 6th & 7th Essays [‘Of Love and Marriage’ and ‘Of the Study of History], which I had resolvd to throw out, as too frivolous for the rest, and not very agreeable neither that trifling manner’ (The Letters of David Hume, J.Y.T. Greig, ed. [Oxford: Oxford University Press 1932], 168). Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Letters.’ what follows I hope to show that whatever Humes reservations about ‘Of the Study of History’ as a whole, he always held to the view proposed there of ‘a philosopher contemplating characters and manners his closet.’,. Edited by
    • Hume, David. 1985. “ ‘Of the Study of History’ in ”. In Essays Moral, Political, and Literary Edited by: Miller, F., 567–8. Indianapolis: Liberty Classics. Eugene Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Essays.’ I should mention (as David Fate Norton has pointed out to me) that Hume did not think this essay was particularly good, writing for instance in a letter to Adam Smith, 'In that [1748] Edition [of 'Essays moral & political'], I was engag'd to act contrary to my Judgement in retaining the 6th & 7th Essays [‘Of Love and Marriage’ and ‘Of the Study of History'], which I had resolv'd to throw out, as too frivolous for the rest, and not very agreeable neither in that trifling manner’ (The Letters of David Hume, J.Y.T. Greig, ed. [Oxford: Oxford University Press 1932], 168). Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Letters.’ In what follows I hope to show that whatever Hume's reservations about ‘Of the Study of History’ as a whole, he always held to the view proposed there of ‘a philosopher contemplating characters and manners in his closet.’
    • (1985) Essays Moral, Political, and Literary , pp. 567-568
    • Hume, D.1
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    • Letters 32–3.
    • Letters , pp. 32-33
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    • Selby-Bigge L.A., (ed), H. Nidditch, rev. (Oxford: Oxford University Press Hereafter abbreviated as ‘TV.’, Edited by
    • Hume, David. 1978. A Treatise of Human Nature Edited by: Selby-Bigge, L. A., 620 H. Nidditch, rev. (Oxford: Oxford University Press Hereafter abbreviated as ‘TV.’
    • (1978) A Treatise of Human Nature , pp. 620
    • Hume, D.1
  • 5
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    • Cambridge and London: Harvard University Press, (Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Baier.’
    • Baier, Annette. 1991. A Progress of Sentiments Cambridge and London: Harvard University Press. (Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Baier.’
    • (1991) A Progress of Sentiments
    • Baier, A.1
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    • The Sources of Normativity,' in
    • Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, (Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Korsgaard.’,. In
    • Korsgaard, Christine. 1994. “ The Sources of Normativity,' in ”. In The Tanner Lectures Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press. (Hereafter abbreviated as ‘Korsgaard.’
    • (1994) The Tanner Lectures
    • Korsgaard, C.1
  • 7
    • 79955153903 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • Norton has informed me that this typographical break appears the first edition of the and that it is reasonable to suppose that Hume himself requested it. I trust, though, that we can detect a significant shift tone between the first and second paragraphs of T. 619, irrespective of whether it was Hume or the printers who decided to place the extra space there
    • Treatise Norton has informed me that this typographical break appears in the first edition of the and that it is reasonable to suppose that Hume himself requested it. I trust, though, that we can detect a significant shift in tone between the first and second paragraphs of T. 619, irrespective of whether it was Hume or the printers who decided to place the extra space there.
    • Treatise
  • 9
    • 85064027170 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • Hutchesons, 109
    • Inquiry Hutcheson's, 109
    • Inquiry
  • 10
    • 79955153903 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • both the (T. 621) and the Enquiries (E. 10) Hume tells us that he is presenting a somewhat ‘hideous’ view of human nature. The Oxford English Dictionary gives as its second definition of ‘Hideous’: ‘Terrible, distressing, or revolting to the moral sense….’ So if we take Hume to have something like this meaning mind— and the dates of the O.E.D.s examples of usage (1692, 1863) suggest that he might have— there is even more reason to doubt that he was concerned his philosophical works to strengthen our confidence morality. (Thanks to Norton for pointing this out to me
    • Treatise In both the (T. 621) and the Enquiries (E. 10) Hume tells us that he is presenting a somewhat ‘hideous’ view of human nature. The Oxford English Dictionary gives as its second definition of ‘Hideous’: ‘Terrible, distressing, or revolting to the moral sense….’ So if we take Hume to have something like this meaning in mind— and the dates of the O.E.D.'s examples of usage (1692, 1863) suggest that he might have— there is even more reason to doubt that he was concerned in his philosophical works to strengthen our confidence in morality. (Thanks to Norton for pointing this out to me.)
    • Treatise
  • 11
    • 85064028513 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • ‘On Why Humes General Point of View Isnt Ideal—and Shouldnt Be’ (Social and Political Philosophy 11 (1994,–28), Geoffrey Sayre-McCord contends that Hume ‘hopes his theory succeeds not just explaining moral thought but also justifying it’ (203). arguing for this, Sayre-McCord points to those features of Humes general point of view that give us reason to endorse it over other possible moral standards. The general point of view, he shows, enables us to talk intelligibly to one another and promotes harmonious social life; it provides a stable, accessible, and univocal moral ground, and conduces to the happiness of those who adopt it. I believe Hume did think that the happiness of and harmony among members of society were perhaps the most important ends of human life. And so I think it is not inconsistent with his theory to judge a moral standard based on its accessibility, stability, and mutual intelligibility, since these features all promote harmony and happiness. But it seems to me that when Hume discusses these features of the general point of view it is only towards the end of explaining why this standard developed. I cannot hear Humes attempt to justify or condemn moral standards general. As I will explain what follows, I think that when Hume condemns or praises he does so by pointing out that certain things thwart and other things promote ends of ours. So I dont think Hume would quarrel with Sayre-McCords ‘justification’ of the general point of view— at least not to the extent that Sayre-McCord attempts to show that the general point of view promotes harmony and happiness. But I dont think that such justification was Humes project
    • 202 In ‘On Why Hume's “General Point of View” Isn't Ideal—and Shouldn't Be’ (Social and Political Philosophy 11 (1994,–28), Geoffrey Sayre-McCord contends that Hume ‘hopes his theory succeeds not just in explaining moral thought but also in justifying it’ (203). In arguing for this, Sayre-McCord points to those features of Hume's general point of view that give us reason to endorse it over other possible moral standards. The general point of view, he shows, enables us to talk intelligibly to one another and promotes harmonious social life; it provides a stable, accessible, and univocal moral ground, and conduces to the happiness of those who adopt it. I believe Hume did think that the happiness of and harmony among members of society were perhaps the most important ends of human life. And so I think it is not inconsistent with his theory to judge a moral standard based on its accessibility, stability, and mutual intelligibility, since these features all promote harmony and happiness. But it seems to me that when Hume discusses these features of the general point of view it is only towards the end of explaining why this standard developed. I cannot hear Hume's attempt to justify or condemn moral standards in general. As I will explain in what follows, I think that when Hume condemns or praises he does so by pointing out that certain things thwart and other things promote ends of ours. So I don't think Hume would quarrel with Sayre-McCord's ‘justification’ of the general point of view— at least not to the extent that Sayre-McCord attempts to show that the general point of view promotes harmony and happiness. But I don't think that such justification was Hume's project.
  • 12
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    • See 199–203
    • Baier. See 199–203.
    • Baier1
  • 13
    • 85064028467 scopus 로고
    • Indianapolis: Liberty Classics, See volume 1, chapter viii, Hereafter abbreviated as ‘History,’ followed first by the volume number written Arabic numerals, then by the chapter number written small Roman numerals, and lastly by the page numbers of the 1983 Liberty Classics edition
    • Hume, David. 1983. The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to The Revolution in 1688 in six volumes 333–4. Indianapolis: Liberty Classics. See volume 1, chapter viii, pp. Hereafter abbreviated as ‘History,’ followed first by the volume number written in Arabic numerals, then by the chapter number written in small Roman numerals, and lastly by the page numbers of the 1983 Liberty Classics edition.
    • (1983) The History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caesar to The Revolution in 1688 in six volumes , pp. 333-334
    • Hume, D.1
  • 15
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    • Hume's Reply to the Sensible Knave’ (
    • But compare Gerald [] 23–40) for a reading of Humes conception of the ‘enjoyment of character’ that is more line with Baiers view of Humean normativity. I find Postemas discussion illuminating many ways, but I think he overstates his case when he argues that Humes knave ‘has no character at all’ (Postema, 35). It is true, as Postema instructively illustrates, that for Hume one could never develop what we would recognize as human character without being raised a social setting which others ‘affirmed’ ones existence (Postema, 27, 35). But I do not think that this shows that Hume thought one cannot eventually come to develop a character that plans regular deception of others
    • Postema, J., 1988. ‘Hume's Reply to the Sensible Knave’ (. History of Philosophy Quarterly, 5 But compare Gerald [] 23–40) for a reading of Hume's conception of the ‘enjoyment of character’ that is more in line with Baier's view of Humean normativity. I find Postema's discussion illuminating in many ways, but I think he overstates his case when he argues that Hume's knave ‘has no character at all’ (Postema, 35). It is true, as Postema instructively illustrates, that for Hume one could never develop what we would recognize as human character without being raised in a social setting in which others ‘affirmed’ one's existence (Postema, 27, 35). But I do not think that this shows that Hume thought one cannot eventually come to develop a character that plans regular deception of others.
    • (1988) History of Philosophy Quarterly , vol.5
    • Postema, J.1
  • 16
    • 85064021329 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • I wont examine Humes essays here, but I believe that them Hume tends to condemn religious fanaticism for the same type of reasons. See, for instance, ‘Of Parties General’ 59–62) and ‘Superstition and Enthusiasm’ (Essays, 77–8
    • Essays I won't examine Hume's essays here, but I believe that in them Hume tends to condemn religious fanaticism for the same type of reasons. See, for instance, ‘Of Parties in General’ 59–62) and ‘Superstition and Enthusiasm’ (Essays, 77–8).
    • Essays
  • 17
    • 85064021704 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • See 1, iii, 152 and History 3, xxxvii, 435 for similar comments concerning the Norman invasion of 1066 and Marys Catholic persecution, respectively
    • History See 1, iii, 152 and History 3, xxxvii, 435 for similar comments concerning the Norman invasion of 1066 and Mary's Catholic persecution, respectively.
    • History
  • 18
    • 85064025981 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • See 5, xlvii, 68; 1, 164; lvii, 442; lix, 493–4. On other sincere but dangerous fanatics, see History 5, xlvi, 27–8; lii, 244 and notes, 575; History 6, lxii, 142
    • History See 5, xlvii, 68; 1, 164; lvii, 442; lix, 493–4. On other sincere but dangerous fanatics, see History 5, xlvi, 27–8; lii, 244 and notes, 575; History 6, lxii, 142.
    • History
  • 19
    • 85064030415 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • See for instance 1, viii, 333–4
    • History See for instance 1, viii, 333–4.
    • History
  • 21
    • 0004305896 scopus 로고
    • Kant writes, ‘Do we not think it a matter of the utmost necessity to work out for once a pure moral philosophy completely cleansed of everything that can only be empirical and appropriate to anthropology? That there must be such a philosophy is already obvious from the common Idea of duty and from the laws of morality’ (Immanual Kant, H.J. Paton, trans. [New York: Harper Torchbooks ], 57). The Humean will deny the accuracy of Kants analysis of the ‘common Idea’ of morality, maintaining that for many people the legitimacy of morality does not depend upon its holding ‘not merely for men, but for all rational beings as such— not merely subject to contingent conditions and exceptions, but with absolute necessity’ (Kant, 76; see also 79, 92–4
    • 1964. The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals Kant writes, ‘Do we not think it a matter of the utmost necessity to work out for once a pure moral philosophy completely cleansed of everything that can only be empirical and appropriate to anthropology? That there must be such a philosophy is already obvious from the common Idea of duty and from the laws of morality’ (Immanual Kant, H.J. Paton, trans. [New York: Harper Torchbooks ], 57). The Humean will deny the accuracy of Kant's analysis of the ‘common Idea’ of morality, maintaining that for many people the legitimacy of morality does not depend upon its holding ‘not merely for men, but for all rational beings as such— not merely subject to contingent conditions and exceptions, but with absolute necessity’ (Kant, 76; see also 79, 92–4).
    • (1964) The Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals
  • 22
    • 84949135247 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • There is one passage the which Hume seems to say that an account of morality, however true, should be rejected if it has the harmful consequence of causing people to lose confidence the obligatoriness of morality. He writes, ‘And though the philosophical truth of any proposition by no means depends on its tendency to promote the interests of society; yet a man has but a bad grace, who delivers a theory, however, true, which, he must confess, leads to a practice dangerous and pernicious. Why rake into those corners of nature which spread a nuisance all around? Why dig up the pestilence from the pit which it is buried? The ingenuity of your researches may be admired, but your systems will be digested; and mankind will agree, if they cannot refute them, to sink them, at least, eternal silence and oblivion. Truths which are pernicious to society, if any such there be, will yield to errors which are salutary and advantageous’ (E. 278–9). One could, I suppose, make heavy weather out of this passage, contending that it embodies Humes views on the relationship between explanation and justification. response, I would question how seriously Hume took the possibility that there could be some truth that ought to yield to error. I would, that is, want to place emphasis on the phrase ‘if any such there be’ the last sentence. I would also point to his statement that ‘the philosophical truth of any proposition by no means depends on its tendency to promote the interests of society.’ Lastly, I would say that if Hume really did think that there could be a truth so pernicious that we ought to prefer error, then I wish he hadnt. But even if that were the case, I still do not think it would be appropriate to foist onto Hume a justificatory position on the basis of this one comment
    • Enquiries There is one passage in the in which Hume seems to say that an account of morality, however true, should be rejected if it has the harmful consequence of causing people to lose confidence in the obligatoriness of morality. He writes, ‘And though the philosophical truth of any proposition by no means depends on its tendency to promote the interests of society; yet a man has but a bad grace, who delivers a theory, however, true, which, he must confess, leads to a practice dangerous and pernicious. Why rake into those corners of nature which spread a nuisance all around? Why dig up the pestilence from the pit in which it is buried? The ingenuity of your researches may be admired, but your systems will be digested; and mankind will agree, if they cannot refute them, to sink them, at least, in eternal silence and oblivion. Truths which are pernicious to society, if any such there be, will yield to errors which are salutary and advantageous’ (E. 278–9). One could, I suppose, make heavy weather out of this passage, contending that it embodies Hume's views on the relationship between explanation and justification. In response, I would question how seriously Hume took the possibility that there could be some truth that ought to yield to error. I would, that is, want to place emphasis on the phrase ‘if any such there be’ in the last sentence. I would also point to his statement that ‘the philosophical truth of any proposition by no means depends on its tendency to promote the interests of society.’ Lastly, I would say that if Hume really did think that there could be a truth so pernicious that we ought to prefer error, then I wish he hadn't. But even if that were the case, I still do not think it would be appropriate to foist onto Hume a justificatory position on the basis of this one comment.
    • Enquiries
  • 24
    • 85064028411 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • Hume himself addresses the claim that his explanations will undermine our practice of moralizing. He points out that this is as implausible as the claim that ‘modern philosophy’ should or could threaten our practice of judging secondary properties. He writes, ‘Vice and virtue, therefore, may be compared to sound, colours, heat, and cold, which, according to modern philosophy, are not qualities objects, but perceptions the mind: and this discovery morals, like that other physics, is to be regarded as a considerable advancement of the speculative sciences; though, like that too, it has little or no influence on practice. Nothing can be more real, or concern us more, than our own sentiments of pleasure and uneasiness; and if these be favourable to virtue, and unfavourable to vice, no more can be requisite to the regulation of our conduct and behaviour’ (T. 469; see also E. 297 and, 166). Someone who thought that the colors of a beautiful painting were mind-independent might be shaken by the findings of ‘modern philosophy.’ But the problem would lie not her judgment that the painting is beautiful but her meta-theory about what color is. And while modern philosophy might demolish her aesthetic meta-theory, the painting will almost certainly still look beautiful to her. Likewise, if the lawyer thinks morality is mind-independent, then Humes account will undermine her meta-ethical theory. But her first-order moral judgment may not be affected
    • Essays Hume himself addresses the claim that his explanations will undermine our practice of moralizing. He points out that this is as implausible as the claim that ‘modern philosophy’ should or could threaten our practice of judging secondary properties. He writes, ‘Vice and virtue, therefore, may be compared to sound, colours, heat, and cold, which, according to modern philosophy, are not qualities in objects, but perceptions in the mind: and this discovery in morals, like that other in physics, is to be regarded as a considerable advancement of the speculative sciences; though, like that too, it has little or no influence on practice. Nothing can be more real, or concern us more, than our own sentiments of pleasure and uneasiness; and if these be favourable to virtue, and unfavourable to vice, no more can be requisite to the regulation of our conduct and behaviour’ (T. 469; see also E. 297 and, 166). Someone who thought that the colors of a beautiful painting were mind-independent might be shaken by the findings of ‘modern philosophy.’ But the problem would lie not in her judgment that the painting is beautiful but in her meta-theory about what color is. And while modern philosophy might demolish her aesthetic meta-theory, the painting will almost certainly still look beautiful to her. Likewise, if the lawyer thinks morality is mind-independent, then Hume's account will undermine her meta-ethical theory. But her first-order moral judgment may not be affected.
    • Essays
  • 28
    • 85064024942 scopus 로고    scopus 로고
    • and an anonymous reader for the
    • Thanks to Simon Blackburn, Richard Dean, David Fate Norton, Geoffrey Sayre-McCord, Gerald Postema for many helpful comments on this paper., In
    • Hill, Thomas E., Jr. “ and an anonymous reader for the ”. In Canadian Journal of Philosophy Thanks to Simon Blackburn, Richard Dean, David Fate Norton, Geoffrey Sayre-McCord, Gerald Postema for many helpful comments on this paper.
    • Canadian Journal of Philosophy
    • Hill, T.E.1


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