Hume, reason and morality
Subtitle: a legacy of contradiction
By: Sophie Botros.
Series: Routledge studies in eighteenth century philosophy -- 5.
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2006
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 253
Subjects: Hume, David, -- 1711-1776.; Reason.; Ethics.; Contradiction.
Description: "Covering an important theme in Humean studies, this book focuses on Hume's hugely influential attempt, in Book 3 of his Treatise of Human Nature to derive the conclusion that morality is a matter of feeling, not reason, from its link with action." "Claiming that Hume's argument contains a fundamental contradiction that has gone unnoticed in modern debate, this volume is a combination of historical-scholarly work and contemporary analysis that seeks to expose this contradiction and therefore provide a significant contribution to current scholarship in the area."

"Sophie Botros begins by pointing out that a contradiction concerning whether reason can influence action, or is wholly powerless, occurs in the intermediary premiss. She then moves on to draw out the consequences for recent meta-ethics of the failure to acknowledge this contradiction. Finally, highlighting the root of the argument's power in an article of naturalistic dogma, she suggests how it may be possible to restore to our moral concepts their traditional and integral link with both truth and motivation." "An addition to this popular field of study, Hume, Reason and Morality is undoubtedly an important resource for moral philosophers interested in meta-ethics and practical reason, as well as Humean scholars."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [227]-245) and index.
Table of contents: title: A contradiction, not an ambiguity; title: Validity and the 'moderate' version; title: Metaphysics and the 'extreme' version; title: Sentimentalists, secondary qualities and sensations; title: The inconsolable sceptic; title: Morality's dynamism; title: Desires, beliefs, and 'direction of fit'; title: A riddle and a buried assumption; title: The case of Owen Wingrave.