Study Questions

  1. What is the relationship between reason and morality, according to Hume? Does Hume think we can know our moral obligations based on reason? Do you think he is correct about this? Why or why not?
  2. What does it mean, in Hume’s view, to say that an action is wrong, or that a person is virtuous? What does Hume think ultimately grounds our judgments of morality? Does he provide a plausible foundation for morality? Defend your answer.
  3. What does Hume mean by sympathy, and what role does this notion play in his moral theory? Does sympathy actually have the moral importance that Hume suggests it has?
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