A Study Of Hume's Virtue Theory

This thesis aims to systematically study Hume's virtue theory,to show the context,methodology of Hume's construction of virtue theory,as well as Hume's standards for his definition of virtue,basses of his classification of virtues and the inner logic of his analysis of various specific virtues.In addition,this thesis gives an evaluation of the significance of the construction of Hume's virtue theory.First of all,this thesis investigates the context in which Hume's virtue theory is constructed from the western tradition of virtue theory and the system of Hume's own philosophy.For Hume,the views of virtue or doctrines of virtue proposed by moralists throughout the ages,are in opposition to each other.Even there is a serious confusion reigned in the subjects concerning virtue.Hume intended to get rid of chaos in the construction of his virtue theory.In a negative sense,Hume's skeptical epistemology derived from the enquiry of human understanding imposes a restriction on the construction of Hume's virtue theory.Hume must abandon the excessive respect for human reason in the discussion of virtue,and strictly limit the discussion of virtue to the scope of common life.In a positive sense,the sentimental psychology developed in the discussion of human passion provides an opportunity for the construction of Hume's virtue theory.Thanks to the discovery of sentimental psychology,Hume is able to explain the determinate ground of virtue based on human sentiments and use sympathy to explain the moral approbation attending virtue.Secondly,this thesis discusses the methodology followed by the construction of Hume's virtue theory from the aspects of reasoning method and analytical method.At the level of reasoning method,Hume's virtue theory abandons the method of metaphysical reasoning,and introduces the method of experimental reasoning,which has been successful in modern natural science,into the discussion of the issue of virtue.Under the guidance of experimental method of reasoning,Hume is able to make moral inferences based on facts and observations.At the level of analytical method,Hume sums up two inherent analytical methods i.e.,” painting" and"anatomy" in the study of moral philosophy and he chooses the latter method to carry out his disquisition of virtue.He has no intention of depicting virtue in gorgeous language to make it attractive.Guided by the "anatomy" method,Hume tries to make a rigorous and meticulous analysis of virtue,so as to make the knowledge about virtue as accurate as possible.Thirdly,this thesis examines the standards of Hume's definition of virtue from usefulness and agreeableness.And this thesis also examines the basses for Hume's classification of virtue from the ways in which moral approbation is produced and the sources from which moral approbation is derived.Based on the standard of usefulness,Hume defines virtue as quality of mind useful to people.According to the standard of agreeableness,Hume defines virtue as quality of mind immediately agreeable to people.Virtue is pleasant in its essence.The distinction between the two concepts of virtue stems from the difference in the way of spectators' perception.As for virtue as quality of mind immediately agreeable to people,it means that spectators can immediately feel pleased from virtue when they consider or contemplate it.So as for virtue as quality of mind that useful to people,it implies that only by external observation or reflection can spectators mediately feel pleased from virtue.Based on the ways in which moral approbation is produced,Hume classifies virtue as two kinds,that is natural virtue and artificial virtue.According to the sources from which moral approbation is derived,Hume classifies virtue as four kinds,namely virtue useful to others,virtue useful to oneself,virtue immediately agreeable to others,virtue immediately agreeable to oneself,By comparison,this thesis holds that classifying virtue as four kinds is more fundamental to Hume's virtue theory.According to the tendency of the every kind of virtue to promote goods,this thesis further integrates the four kinds of virtue into two kinds,that is social virtue and individual virtue.Fourthly,this thesis explores the inner logic of Hume's discussion of various specific social virtues from the manners by which social virtue is useful to others and the occasions on which social virtue is agreeable to others.As can be seen from Hume's analysis of the qualities of mind such as benevolence,justice,allegiance,chastity and modesty,social virtue can be useful to others by two manners,namely natural sentiment and human artifice.From Hume's analysis of the qualities of mind such as good manners,politeness,wit,ingenuity,eloquence,modesty,a desire of fame or reputation,decency,cleanliness,manner,grace,ease,genteelness,this thesis points out social virtues immediately make others feel pleased in or out of company.When treats the good results from the virtue of justice,the view of self-interest deviates from the general plan or system of actions.This view does not fundamentally challenge Hume's claim about justice as a social virtue useful to others.Fifthly,this thesis explores the inner logic of Hume's discussion of various specific individual virtues from the forms in which individual virtue is useful to its possessor himself and the ways through which individual virtue is immediately agreeable its possessor himself.According to Hume's analysis of the qualities of mind such as prudence,industry,frugality,honesty,fidelity,truth,self-command,a quick apprehension,judgment on delicate and noble objects,strong memory,bodily endowments,goods of fortune,etc.,the author reveals that individual virtue is useful to his possessor himself in three forms,that is useful to executing his own enterprise,making his own figure,and fixing his own condition.According to Hume's analysis of qualities of mind such as the greatness of the mind,self-value,courage,philosophical tranquility,benevolence under the category of individual virtue,the author points out that individual virtue is immediately agreeable to its possessor himself through two ways,that is through the exciting of elevated affections or through the exciting of soft affections.After a series of reflections,Hume eliminated the boundary between talents and virtues.In Hume's virtue theory,talents specifically belong to individual virtues useful to oneself.Finally,this thesis evaluates the historical contribution made by Hume's virtue theory from three aspects: the representation of virtue charms,the simplification of human duties and the improvement of moral philosophy.And from the perspective of the development concerning contemporary virtue ethics,contemporary political philosophy and contemporary moral psychology,this essay also explores the contemporary response of Hume's virtue theory.