Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing ResponsibilityRussell contends that it is the workings of moral sentiment, and not the concept of freedom, that is basic to Hume's account of moral responsibility. The compatibilist strategy that Hume pursues must be interpreted in terms of his detailed description of the circumstances in which people are felt to be responsible. These naturalistic commitments are directly relevant to Hume's complex understanding of how freedom relates to responsibility. It is his view that we must not exaggerate the importance of voluntariness and control for moral responsibility. Hume's naturalism is also essential to his account of the relationship between responsibility and religion. Issues of moral responsibility, Hume maintains, can be understood only within the fabric of human feeling and human society. This perspective on responsibility is central to the philosopher's most basic objective: to secularize our understanding of moral life and practice. The classical reading entirely overlooks Hume's naturalistic concerns and commitments. As Russell demonstrates, however, it is this very aspect that is fundamental to Hume's general strategy and that is of particular significance from a contemporary perspective. The contemporary relevance of Hume's naturalistic approach is examined with P. F. Strawson's influential contribution on this subject especially in view. Freedom and Moral Sentiment addresses issues of wide interest to students and scholars of philosophy, theology, legal theory, and the history of ideas. |
Contents
Introduction | 3 |
Part I The Necessity of Moral Sentiment | 9 |
Part II The Elements of Responsibility | 85 |
| 187 | |
| 193 | |
Other editions - View all
Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility Paul Russell Limited preview - 2002 |
Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility Paul Russell Limited preview - 2002 |
Common terms and phrases
according to Hume action agent antilibertarian argument arouse aspect of Hume's basis blame causation cause character traits classical compatibilist classical interpretation Clearly compatibilism compatibilist strategy concerned connexion constant conjunction context David Hume determinism distinction emotion emphasis Enquiry essential external feelings freedom and responsibility Hobbes human nature Hume claims Hume's account Hume's discussion Hume's position Hume's principles Hume's remarks Hume's theory Hume's views Humean idea of necessity important indirect passions inference insofar intention interpretation of Hume's issue libertarian liberty arguments liberty of indifference liberty of spontaneity Malebranche matter ment metaphysical moral character moral evaluation moral freedom Moral Luck moral realm moral responsibility moral sentiments necessity argument noted ontology P. F. Strawson perceptions person philosophical problem qualities of mind rationalistic reason regard relevant retributive practices retributivism sceptical Schlick significance Smith specific Spinoza Spinozist spontaneity argument Strawson theory of responsibility tion Treatise