The Study of Human Reason The Study of Moral Principles

Author: [British] David Hume, translated by Zhou Xiaoliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-08-01
Features: A Treatise of Human Nature attempts to determine the principles of human understanding. Its theoretical foundation lies in the division of two kinds of objects of knowledge. First, all these objects are either "impressions" or "ideas." Impressions are the raw material of sensation, while ideas are the combination, transformation, expansion, or reduction of these materials. Based on this, Hume proposes a theory of meaning: a word that does not directly represent an impression is meaningful only when it can provide ideas that can be derived from impressions through psychological processes. Second, all objects of knowledge are either "relations among ideas" or "facts." The conclusion drawn from this is that any science of argumentation about facts is impossible. A Study of the Principles of Morals is the crystallization of Hume's thoughts on morality. He believes that sympathy is an expression of human nature and forms the foundation of all social life and personal happiness. He doubts not morality itself, but many of the inferences about morality.