An Analysis Of Hume's Emotional Morality

Hume's moral philosophy is the purpose of his A Treatise Concerning Human Nature, and it is also an important part of his empiricist philosophy. Hume's moral philosophy is based on the "understanding" and "passion" of A Treatise Concerning Human Nature. Hume believed that the foundation of moral judgment and moral behavior is human passion, and it has nothing to do with reason. The kind of behavior, emotion, and character that brings pleasure or satisfaction to us is considered to be good, and comparatively the kind of behavior, emotion and character that produces pain is considered to be evil. Hume rejected the traditional point of moral philosophy that reason is the basis of morality,and he thought that human passion is the origin of moral judgment,and moral sense determinates moral judgment and moral behavior, reason only plays the second role. Hume believed that human nature is selfish, but human being has the feeling of sympathy. Hume believed that compassion is a strong principle of humanity and it bridges individuals and community, and it guarantees the consistency and generality of moralityHume distinguished natural virtue and artificial virtue. And the former comes into being naturally, the latter is a kind of artificial measure and design. Hume believed that natural virtue is important for self-improvement, however, justice has more practical significance for society, human well-being and freedom. Hume also examined the origins of justice, the nature of justice, the rule of justice, and the origins of the government. Among them, he thought that principles which determinate private property might is central part of justice.Hume's interpretations of morals that are based on empirical observation are practical and innovative. Hume's theory of moral philosophy can provide a good theoretical reference for our current socialist moral construction, and especially to be useful for we teachers who take moral education as important mission.