Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility

Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility

by Paul Russell
Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility

Freedom and Moral Sentiment: Hume's Way of Naturalizing Responsibility

by Paul Russell

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Overview

In this book, Russell examines Hume's notion of free will and moral responsibility. It is widely held that Hume presents us with a classic statement of the "compatibilist" position--that freedom and responsibility can be reconciled with causation and, indeed, actually require it. Russell argues that this is a distortion of Hume's view, because it overlooks the crucial role of moral sentiment in Hume's picture of human nature. Hume was concerned to describe the regular mechanisms which generate moral sentiments such as responsibility, and Russell argues that his conception of free will must be interpreted within this naturalistic framework. He goes on to discuss Hume's views about the nature and character of moral sentiment; the extent to which we have control over our moral character; and the justification of punishment. Throughout, Russell argues that the naturalistic avenue of interpretation of Hume's thought, far from draining it of its contemporary interest and significance, reveals it to be of great relevance to the ongoing contemporary debate.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780198025542
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 04/11/2002
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 674 KB

About the Author

University of British Columbia

Table of Contents

Abbreviationsxi
Introduction3
Part I.The Necessity of Moral Sentiment
1.Logic, "Liberty", and the Metaphysics of Responsibility11
2.Minding the Matter of Necessity: A Paradox Regarding Causation24
3.Causation, Compulsion, and Compatibilism43
4.The Naturalism of Hume's "Reconciling Project"58
5.Hume's Naturalism and Strawson's Reconciling Project71
Part II.The Elements of Responsibility
6.The Content and Objects of Moral Sentiment87
7.Action, Character, and Excuses95
8.Will, Intention, Feeling: The Indications of Character110
9.The Involuntary Nature of Moral Character124
10.Retributive Feeling and the Utility of Punishment137
11.Pride, Fortune, and the Godless Man154
12.Responsibility Naturalized: A Qualified Defence of Hume170
Bibliography187
Index193
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