PS 112: Modern and Contemporary Political Theory

Instructor: Fritz Krieg Allawey

A treatise of Human Nature- David Hume

-An intensive investigation of origin, nature, aims and limits of human understanding
Book I: “Of the Understanding” –Epistemology: Study of knowledge.
 It attempts to explain how we know.
 Two premises: 1. Single Ideas- Formed on the basis of impression through senses
2. Complex Ideas- Formed through Simple ideas
Idea and Impression
 Idea-Memory/Imagination
 Impression-Perception
Three tools: 1. Microscope- breaking down ideas into simpler ideas
2. Razor- anything that cannot be broken into simple ideas but ready for
analysis is meaningless.
3.Fork-Truth can be divided into Relation of Ideas and Matter of Facts
 Relation of ideas- whose denial is inconceivable or self-
contradictory. Necessary Truth.
 Matters of Fact- knowledge through senses
Book II: “Of the Passion”
 Original Impression-through senses-internal in the form of physical pleasure or
pain.
 Secondary Impression- always preceded by original impression.
Passion as secondary impression
Passion – emotion.
 Direct Passion- caused by direct sensation of pain/pleasure i.e aversion, grief, joy,
hope, and fear.
 Indirect Passion-caused indirectly by sensation of pain/pleasure in conjunction
with some other idea or impression i.e pride, humility, love, and hatred.
Passion as Motivation
 Reasoning regarding supposedly connected objects is not what makes us act.
Instead, pleasure and pain give rise to passion which motivates us.
Book III: “Of Morals”
First Vice: Pain
Virtue: Pleasure- 1. Natural Virtues- originated from nature.
- 2. Artificial Virtues- defined according to society
Second: Moral Impression are caused by human actions
Third: Moral impression as social point
Moral impression as caused by sympathy
Moral decision vs. Reason
Moral decision- based on ethics and manners
Reason- the capacity to think
Hume’s Argument regarding moral decision and reason
Premise: Moral decision affects actions
Premise: Decision of reason does not
Conclusion: Morality must not be based on reason
Explanation: Morality is not a matter of fact derived from experience. He suggests that
we examine ourselves with regard to any supposed moral misdeed. Example: If we
reason out and examine murder, we can claim that murder is not an act of morality or
immorality. However, we can discover that we have a strong dislike for murder. Thus,
morality is supported by passion not reason.

Prepared by: Roland Mark M. Gatchalian

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science IV