Hume, Passion, and Action

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Modern, Mind & Body
Cover of the book Hume, Passion, and Action by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elizabeth S. Radcliffe ISBN: 9780192557681
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: May 31, 2018
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
ISBN: 9780192557681
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: May 31, 2018
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

David Hume's theory of action is well known for several provocative theses, including that passion and reason cannot be opposed over the direction of action. Elizabeth S. Radcliffe defends an original interpretation of Hume's views on passion, reason, and motivation which is consistent with other theses in Hume's philosophy, loyal to his texts, and historically situated. She challenges the now orthodox interpretation of Hume on motivation, presenting an alternative that situates Hume closer to "Humeans" than many recent interpreters have. Part of the strategy is to examine the thinking of the early modern intellectuals to whom Hume responds. Most of these thinkers insisted that passions lead us to pursue harmful objects unless regulated by reason; and most regarded passions as representations of good and evil, which can be false. Understanding Hume's response to these claims requires appreciating his respective characterizations of reason and passion. The author argues that Hume's thesis that reason is practically impotent apart from passion is about beliefs generated by reason, rather than about the capacity of reason. Furthermore, the argument makes sense of Hume's sometimes-ridiculed description of passions as "original existences" having no reference to objects. The author also shows how Hume understood morality as intrinsically motivating, while holding that moral beliefs are not themselves motives, and why he thought of passions as self-regulating, contrary to the admonitions of the rationalists.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

David Hume's theory of action is well known for several provocative theses, including that passion and reason cannot be opposed over the direction of action. Elizabeth S. Radcliffe defends an original interpretation of Hume's views on passion, reason, and motivation which is consistent with other theses in Hume's philosophy, loyal to his texts, and historically situated. She challenges the now orthodox interpretation of Hume on motivation, presenting an alternative that situates Hume closer to "Humeans" than many recent interpreters have. Part of the strategy is to examine the thinking of the early modern intellectuals to whom Hume responds. Most of these thinkers insisted that passions lead us to pursue harmful objects unless regulated by reason; and most regarded passions as representations of good and evil, which can be false. Understanding Hume's response to these claims requires appreciating his respective characterizations of reason and passion. The author argues that Hume's thesis that reason is practically impotent apart from passion is about beliefs generated by reason, rather than about the capacity of reason. Furthermore, the argument makes sense of Hume's sometimes-ridiculed description of passions as "original existences" having no reference to objects. The author also shows how Hume understood morality as intrinsically motivating, while holding that moral beliefs are not themselves motives, and why he thought of passions as self-regulating, contrary to the admonitions of the rationalists.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Greatest Possible Being by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Background Practices by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Ebola by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book A Woman's Disease by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Branding: A Very Short Introduction by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Luther's Jews by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Herder's Philosophy by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Absolutism in Renaissance Milan by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Relativity: A Very Short Introduction by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Streetlife by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book The Religious Lives of Older Laywomen by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book The Coherence of Theism by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book Viva Training in ENT: Preparation for the FRCS (ORL-HNS) by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book The Clash of Legitimacies by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
Cover of the book The Leadership Capital Index by Elizabeth S. Radcliffe
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy