Hume: An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

David Hume's moral philosophy rebuilt chapter by chapter: utility, sympathy, justice, benevolence, and the qualities we praise in ourselves and others.

1. 01The Principle of UtilitySource: David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Chapter 1 / opening principle • Course status: first day in the Hume morals coursePublished 07 Jul 20269 sections
2. 02Benevolence and Social VirtueSource: David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Section II, “Of Benevolence,” read with Section V, “Why Utility Pleases” • Primary text: 1777 edition, public-domain text at Hume Texts Online and Project GutenbergPublished 22 Jul 20268 sections
3. 03Justice and PropertySource: David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Section III, “Of Justice,” read with Section V, “Why Utility Pleases” • Primary text: 1777 edition, public-domain text at Hume Texts Online and Project GutenbergPublished 22 Jul 20268 sections
4. 04Political Society and AllegianceSource: David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Section IV, “Of Political Society” • Primary text: 1777 edition, public-domain text at Hume Texts Online and Project GutenbergPublished 22 Jul 20268 sections
5. 05Qualities Useful to OurselvesSource: David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Section VI, “Of Qualities Useful to Ourselves,” read with Section V, “Why Utility Pleases” • Primary text: 1777 edition, public-domain text at Hume Texts Online and Project GutenbergPublished 22 Jul 20268 sections
6. 06Qualities Agreeable to OurselvesSource: David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, Section VII, “Of Qualities Immediately Agreeable to Ourselves” • Primary text: 1777 edition, public-domain text at Hume Texts Online and Project GutenbergPublished 22 Jul 20268 sections