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David Hume On Moral Responsibility

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In this paper I will be discussing two opposing views on whether or not we, as people, possess moral responsibilities. The foundation of each view is rooted in the disposition of whether or not free will is a fact or a myth. I will begin with Hume’s stance, a sentimentalist stance, on moral responsibilities, going off of A Treatise of Human Nature, Book III: “Of Morals”. I present the claim that our relationship with other people is the foundation of moral responsibility. I will then present the deterministic view on moral responsibility and show that it is able to defeat the more sentimentalist view of Hume. In part three, I will discuss as to why Hume’s view on moral responsibilities is more satisfactory than the deterministic viewpoint, …show more content…
If it wasn’t for our socialization and “sentiments” towards others, then we would not believe we have a moral obligation to anyone. We do not run errands for others or take care of others just because. We are kind to others because we love them and have moral obligations to them. Feelings out rationalize reason, yet feelings themself cannot be rationalized. However, the fundamental reason as to why this argument can start is because of the assumption that we have free will. Derk Pereboom states this best when he says “free will is understood as the control condition for moral responsibility”.
Part II.
Another take on whether or not we have moral responsibilities is through a deterministic viewpoint. How can something be meaningfully free, in a morally important way, yet not determined? Determinism is the notion that you were predisposed to make a particular choice because of your genetic wiring. Though some determinists believe in a higher power or deity, it is important to note that determinism does not admit to there being one. A big problem that arises from determinism is that it contradicts free will.
For a person to be morally responsible for their actions is for a person to have the freedom to choose between what is right and what is wrong. So, if everything is predetermined, can anyone actually be held morally responsible. To further discussion, I will briefly outline the deterministic argument in regards to moral

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