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Hume Morality and Decision Making
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1
Question
According to David Hume, what determines morality?
Page 2
Answer
Morality is determined by sentiments. Virtue is whatever mental action or quality gives to a spectator the pleasing sentiment of approbation, and vice the contrary.
2
Question
How does Hume define virtue?
Page 2
Answer
Virtue is pleasing to others, involving a sense of approval.
3
Question
How does Hume define vice?
Page 2
Answer
Vice is displeasing to others, involving a sense of disapproval or disgust.
4
Question
What famous metaphor does Hume use for reason in relation to passions?
Page 2
Answer
Reason is, or ought to be, the slave of the passions.
5
Question
What is Premise 1 of Hume's argument on morality?
Page 2
Answer
Reason cannot tell us what we value.
6
Question
What is Premise 2 of Hume's argument on morality?
Page 2
Answer
Reason can help us pursue what we value.
7
Question
What is Premise 3 of Hume's argument on morality?
Page 2
Answer
What we value is based on our sentiments and passions.
8
Question
What supports Premise 1 in Hume's argument?
Page 2
Answer
We are naturally endowed with empathy - 'naturally human feelings'.
9
Question
What supports Premise 2 in Hume's argument?
Page 2
Answer
We find virtue beautiful and vice hateful.
10
Question
What is Premise 4 in Hume's argument?
Page 2
Answer
Morality is based on what we value.
11
Question
What is the conclusion of Hume's argument on morality?
Page 2
Answer
Morality must be based on our sentiments and passions.
12
Question
According to Hume, why might reason alone be problematic?
Page 2
Answer
Reason alone might override those 'common fellow feelings' and permit inhumane acts.
13
Question
How does compassion link to conscience in Hume's view?
Page 2
Answer
The role of compassion is directly linked to one's conscience and to the ability to feel disgust at vice and approbation towards virtues.
14
Question
What happens with reason alone, per Hume?
Page 2
Answer
With reason alone, 'men become totally indifferent towards these distinctions.'
15
Question
What is approbation in the context of moral sentiments?
Page 2
Answer
Approbation is a pleasure.
16
Question
What is disapprobation in the context of moral sentiments?
Page 2
Answer
Disapprobation is a pain or uneasiness.
17
Question
How are moral sentiments associated with other emotions?
Page 2
Answer
Moral sentiments are types of pleasure and uneasiness that are associated with the passions of pride and humility, love and hatred.
18
Question
What happens when we feel moral approval for another?
Page 2
Answer
When we feel moral approval for another we tend to love or esteem her.
19
Question
What happens when we approve a trait of our own?
Page 2
Answer
When we approve a trait of our own we are proud of it.
20
Question
What is the main claim about moral judgments in Lesson 2?
Page 5
Answer
Moral judgments must be backed by good reasons without necessarily discarding the role of our emotions in decision making.
21
Question
What does morality require regarding individual interests?
Page 5
Answer
Morality requires the impartial consideration of each individual's interests.
22
Question
Why can't we rely solely on feelings for moral decisions?
Page 5
Answer
We cannot rely on our feelings, no matter how powerful they might be, because our feelings may be irrational and may be nothing but products of prejudice, selfishness, or cultural conditioning.
23
Question
What is the morally right thing to do?
Page 5
Answer
The morally right thing to do is always the thing best supported by arguments.
24
Question
How do you determine if an argument is really good?
Page 5
Answer
Get the facts straight. Bring moral principles into play. Are they justified, and are they being correctly applied?
25
Question
Why is each individual's interests equally important?
Page 5
Answer
Each individual's interests are equally important, and no one should get special treatment.
26
Question
When is discrimination unacceptable?
Page 5
Answer
If there is no good reason for treating people differently, then discrimination is unacceptably arbitrary.
27
Question
What is morality at its very least?
Page 5
Answer
Morality is, at the very least, the effort to guide one's conduct by reason—that is, to do what there are the very best reasons for doing—while giving equal weight to the interests of each individual affected by one's decision.
28
Question
What concerns a conscientious moral agent impartially?
Page 5
Answer
A conscientious moral agent is concerned impartially with the interests of everyone affected by what he or she does.
29
Question
What does a conscientious moral agent do with facts?
Page 5
Answer
Carefully sifts facts and examines their implications.
30
Question
How does a conscientious moral agent handle principles?
Page 5
Answer
Accepts principles of conduct only after scrutinizing them to make sure they are justified.