Placing Mercy in Hume's Catalogue of Moral Virtues

Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Langston, Douglas

Keywords

Philosophy, Ethics, Virtue, Mercy, Hume, David, Sentiment, Modern Philosophy, Moral Theory

Area of Concentration

Philosophy

Abstract

My thesis is concerned with the moral theory of 18th century Scottish philosopher, David Hume. In particular, it treats Hume�s approach to those laudable character qualities called moral virtues. The primary task of my thesis is to clarify what Hume does within his moral systema task made difficult by his notoriously careless use of language. Looking carefully at Hume�s writings, I present the claim central to his moral system: that feelings of approbation and disapprobation called moral sentiments pick out meritorious qualities called virtues. In the course of chapters one through four I focus on the details of the virtues� identification. In the final chapter of my thesis, I look at the critical virtue that Hume neglects to highlight in his moral theorythe virtue of mercy. Referring to the framework that I�ve sketched of Hume�s sentimental moral theory, I attempt to identify a theory of mercy compatible with Hume�s moral thought.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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