In this paper, I set forth to explain the conceptions of morality by both Socrates and David Hume with the aim of bringing out the basis of their contrasting views on morality. In the second part, I will outline the implications of Hume’s account of morality on the moral sphere. I will begin with Socrates, then Hume in outlining their views.
Socrates, c.a 470-399 BC was an active philosopher in what is called the anthropocentric period . That is 450-400 BC. During this period the major themes in Philosophy focused on the ‘internal’, that is, knowledge and ethics. Born a poor man, a son of a stone cutter, Socrates, is said to have become a stone mason but left his job in order to find out about life, about himself and about goodness.
David Hume on the other hand was born in Edinburgh in 1711 AD. He lived during the Enlightenment. In this era, the major philosophical concerns were whether knowledge is attainable through reason or through experience/sense perception. That is, rationalism and empiricist schools of thought.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE
PART TWO
Research Objectives and Key Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the moral philosophies of Socrates and David Hume, specifically examining the epistemological foundations of their respective views on virtue and goodness.
- Comparative analysis of Rationalist vs. Empiricist moral frameworks.
- Socrates' view on virtue as objective, teachable knowledge.
- Hume’s perspective on morality as a subjective derivative of human sentiment.
- The role of reason in determining moral actions and values.
- Evaluation of moral skepticism versus moral universalism.
Excerpt from the Book
PART ONE
To begin with, one of the problems Socrates dealt with was the Problem of Morality, in which he held that time for following traditional customs without question is past. Moreover, he held that time for following customs without question is past. Moreover, he reflected on the element which was the decisive factor in the culture of his time, that is, practical and social significance which knowledge and science had achieved. According to Xenophon’s exposition, to Socrates, the good must have coincided everywhere with the profitable or useful; virtue would be the knowledge of what was suited or useful in each particular instance. That is, virtue and knowledge form a unity.
The person who truly knows what is right will also do what is right. This person who truly knows what is right will also do what is right. This person will also be happy. Moreover, to Socrates, to will a thing and regard a thing as good, profitable and useful is the same thing.
According to Socrates, all ethically wrong actions proceed from a wrong view-a view clouded by desires. Therefore, anyone who thus does not ‘know’ what he is doing and hence acts involuntarily. This implies that the wise man is free and the wicked is not free. To Socrates therefore, sin is an error; resulting from a mistaken judgment regarding the bad. He also held that man can also be taught what the good is, as virtue is knowledge.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: The introduction outlines the historical context of Socrates and David Hume, positioning them within their respective eras of philosophical thought to prepare the reader for a comparison of their moral theories.
PART ONE: This chapter analyzes the Socratic approach to morality, emphasizing the unity of virtue and knowledge, and introduces the contrasting Empiricist perspective of David Hume regarding the role of feelings in morality.
PART TWO: This section details Hume's view that reason is the slave of passions, arguing that moral judgments are subjective interpretations rather than objective truths derived from nature.
Keywords
Socrates, David Hume, Morality, Virtue, Rationalism, Empiricism, Epistemology, Goodness, Ethics, Subjectivity, Reason, Passions, Moral Philosophy, Knowledge, Universalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This paper focuses on the divergent conceptions of morality held by Socrates and David Hume, comparing their fundamental views on how moral values are formed and understood.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include the distinction between rationalist and empiricist epistemology, the nature of virtue, the relationship between knowledge and right action, and the source of moral values.
What is the main research question of the study?
The research investigates the basis of the contrast between Socratic moral universalism and Humean moral skepticism, specifically focusing on how their differing epistemological positions shape their ethical theories.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a philosophical comparative method, analyzing the historical arguments of both philosophers through a synthesis of their core texts and academic interpretations.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body examines Socrates' belief that virtue is knowledge and can be taught, contrasted with Hume's assertion that morality is grounded in human feelings and subjective reaction rather than reason.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Morality, Epistemology, Rationalism, Empiricism, Virtue, Subjectivity, and Moral Skepticism.
How does Socrates define the relationship between knowledge and virtue?
Socrates argues that virtue and knowledge form a unity; he maintains that one who truly understands what is right will necessarily perform right actions, thus viewing vice as a form of ignorance.
Why does Hume characterize reason as the "slave of the passions"?
Hume suggests that reason is merely a tool for calculating how to achieve our goals, while our actual desires and feelings (passions) provide the underlying motivation for what we deem "good" or "bad."
What is the ultimate conclusion drawn by the author regarding Hume’s position?
The author concludes that Hume’s moral philosophy leads to a form of skepticism where morality is viewed as a subjective projection rather than an objective feature of the natural world.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mbogo Wa Wambui (Autor:in), 2010, Socrates and Hume's Conception of Morality, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/703504
