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Analysis Of David Hume's Ethical Theory

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The search for the truth could be endless and an extremely tedious journey. This so called truth is the answer to the worlds, more so the peoples, questions about the reality to which almost all people live in. Among these questions is, what is morally right or wrong and who decides this. Is there a code that we could or should live by to set an example or are these codes wrong in themselves or for everybody else? A person of interest whose name is David Hume has set an interesting theory for ethics that he believes people should live by or at least follow to the best of their abilities.
To begin Hume’s moral theory is comprised of four theses which are “(1) Reason alone cannot be a motive to the will, but rather is the “slave of the passions” (2) Moral distinctions are not derived from reason. (3) Moral distinctions are derived from the moral sentiments: feelings of approval (esteem, praise) and disapproval (blame) felt by spectators who contemplate a character trait or action. (4) While some virtues and vices are natural, …show more content…
Natural virtues and vices are things that can cause positive and negative emotions, but are natural. Hume would say too much pride, lust, and anger are examples of a natural vice, due to it, causing dissatisfaction to others. This is similar to religious views where sins would be something that causes a discomfort to others. Moving forward, a natural virtue could be something, such as, self-esteem. This is something that’s good for the person and society, natural virtue benefits the majority of people, therefore self-esteem would be considered a natural virtue. An artificial virtue or vice is something that is made by man in order to better society, whether or not it does is another question. An example used would be justice, for the reason, it was created by man to punish those who committed crimes that hurts

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