Hume's An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals
A Critical Guide

Examines each section of Hume's second Enquiry in detail and considers its place within Hume's philosophy as a whole.

Esther Engels Kroeker (Edited by), Willem Lemmens (Edited by)

9781108437080, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 February 2023

286 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.42 kg

Hume considered his Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals to be one of his best works. In it he offers his most elegant and approachable account of the origins and scope of morality. With the hope of reaching a broad audience, he argues that morality is neither rigid nor austere, but is rather a product of sentiments that all human beings share, and which they are naturally inclined to recognize and act upon. In this Critical Guide, a team of distinguished scholars discuss each section of the Enquiry, its place in Hume's philosophy as a whole, and its historical context; their topics include the nature of morals, talents and moral virtues, benevolence, sympathy, and the sources of moral disagreement. The volume will be valuable for scholars and advanced students working on Hume.

Introduction Esther Engels Kroeker and Willem Lemmens
1. The nature of morals founded on the human fabric Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
2. The pride of Pericles: Hume on benevolence, self-love and the enjoyment of our humanity Willem Lemmens
3. Justice and politics in the enquiry concerning the principles of morals Ryan Patrick Hanley. 4. History, context, and the conventions of political society Marc Hanvelt
5. 'Why utility pleases': a surprising source of discord Emily Kelahan
6. Hume on talents and moral virtues James Fieser
7. Virtues suspect and sublime Margaret Watkins
8. Sympathy and the sources of moral sentiment Jacqueline Taylor
9. Virtue and moral psychology in Hume's enquiry concerning the principles of morals Lorraine L. Besser
10. Hume, cicero, and the ancients Aaron Garrett
11. Hume on religion in the enquiry concerning the principles of morals Esther Engels Kroeker
12. Moral disagreement Lorne Falkenstein.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge [HPK], Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900 [HPCD]