Reason and Passions in Hume's Morality

Overview

This research has as object the ethical theory of the philosopher David Hume. The main objective is to understand how "reason" and "passions" (emotions) relate to the production of a virtuous character. The explanation of such conditions is an attempt to respond to the following problem: how the relationships between the rational and emotional aspects of human psychology interfere in the production of a commendable character. The research is relevant because it promotes critical research on a central problem of Ethics from one of the philosophers who guide the contemporary discussion on moral psychology. The main objective is related to the clarification of the conditions by which moral agents become virtuous and the practical adequacy of such conditions. In Humean ethics, the clarification of such points depends on the understanding of the necessary relationship between rationality and affectivity in human behavior. According to its objectives, the methodology will be exploratory. In relation to technical procedures, a bibliographic research will be developed based on the analysis and critical interpretation of arguments. As primary sources, "An Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals" and selected excerpts from the "Treatise of Human Nature" will be used. As part of the secondary bibliography, texts on Humean philosophy, themes of philosophy of mind, ethics, metaethics and moral psychology will be used. Partial results indicate that the production of a commendable character is limited by temperament and education. This research is based on the point of view that ethics and critical thinking are closely connected to integral education and the formation of responsible and autonomous citizens.

Competition history

• ISEF 2021 Behavioral and Social Sciences · Entry BEHA020

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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