Hume's 'Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals'

Morality is a matter of feeling or sentiment, not judgement or reason. So argues David Hume (1711–1776), who thought that his ‘Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals’ was ‘incomparably the best’ of his writings. Indeed, after its initial publication in 1751, the (second) ‘Enquiry’ was re-issued eleven times and translated into French and German during Hume’s life. In great detail and inimitable eloquence, he lays out his ethical theory, where the passions, sympathy with others, and personal character combine against egoism and rationalism.
In this course, we read the entire text (including the important appendices), and clarify the philosophical issues in discussion. As an occasional backdrop, we also use some of Hume’s essays or passages from the ‘Treatise of Human Nature’, as well as selected passages from other authors. This readable and accessible classic is suitable for anyone interested in Hume’s moral ideas.
Resources for this course
Type | Resource | Description | People | Full details |
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Experimental Method |
Check out this wonderful resource; e.g., for more on Hume's 'experimental method', see Treatise Introduction, and Enquiry concerning Human... |
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Morality: more properly felt than judged? |
The notes from the second meeting (EPM 1). |
Peter Wyss | |
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First Coursework Sheet |
Leading questions and a little background for EPM 1–2. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Second Coursework Sheet |
Leading questions for EPM 3–4. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Third Coursework Sheet |
A range of questions about EPM 5. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Mandeville extract |
The extract from B. Mandeville's 'Enquiry' mentioned in the third coursework sheet. For the full text, see the dedicated resource. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Mandeville |
The full text of the 'Fable of the Bees'. Browse the website further: it is a treasure trove (e.g., you can find Hutcheson's writings). |
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'Of Justice' and 'Of Political Society' |
Notes from the session on EPM 3 and 4. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Fourth Coursework Sheet |
The study questions for EPM 6 and 7. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Notes on Justice and Utility |
The puzzle about natural justice, and thoughts about the background to EPM 5. |
Peter Wyss | |
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'Hume's Moral Philosophy' |
Entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy by R. Cohon (2018). The article is very useful even though it focuses mainly on the 'Treatise'.... |
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'Of the Original Contract' |
Hume's 1748 essay complements EPM 4; see esp. pp.486-9 in this 1777 pagination. |
Peter Wyss | |
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'Of the Origin of Government' |
Hume's 5-page essay of 1777 touches on several themes from EPM 3 and 4. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Fifth Coursework Sheet |
Some study questions for EPM 8 and 9. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Utility Once Again |
Part of the argument in EPM 5 in a nutshell, and four strands in Hume's ethical thinking. |
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'Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature' |
Hume's 1741 essay from its 1777 edition, mentioned on the fifth coursework sheet. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Sixth Coursework Sheet |
Twenty (leading) questions for studying Appendices 1 and 2. |
Peter Wyss | |
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'Of Virtue and Vice in General' |
The first part of the Treatise Book 3 (i.e. T 3.1.1–2), where Hume deals with rationalism and sentimentalism. |
Peter Wyss | |
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Seventh Coursework Sheet |
A handful of questions for Appendices 3 and 4, and the Dialogue. |
Peter Wyss | |
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EPM 9 and Beyond |
Notes from the eighth session: on the 'Conclusion', general remarks on Humean ethics, Epicurean passages. |
Peter Wyss | |
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More on Justice (Appendix 3) |
Notes from the ninth meeting, with three passages from the Treatise. |
Peter Wyss |