
Russell Hardin Presents A New Explication Of David Hume's Moral And Political Theory. With Hume, He Holds That Our Normative Views Can Be Scientifically Explained But They Cannot Be Justified As True. Hume Argued For The Psychological Basis Of Such Views. In Particular, He Argued For Sympathy As The Mirroring Of The Psychological Sensations And Emotions Of Others. By Placing Hume In The Developing Tradition Of Social Science, As A Strong Forerunner Of His Younger Friend Adam Smith, Hardin Demonstrates Hume's Strong Strategic Sense, His Nascent Utilitarianism, His Powerful Theory Of Convention As A Main Source Of Social And Political Order, And His Recognition Of Moral And Political Theory As A Single Enterprise.
This work investigates the core question of whether David Hume's moral and political theories can be understood as a precursor to modern social science rather than traditional normative philosophy. Russell Hardin, a political scientist, utilizes Hume's own writings to argue that normative views are psychological phenomena rather than objective truths. He positions Hume as a strategic thinker whose work on convention and sympathy anticipates the development of utilitarianism and modern social science, specifically linking his ideas to those of Adam Smith.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and students of political philosophy frequently note that Hardin provides a clear, modern interpretation of Hume that bridges the gap between historical philosophy and contemporary social science. Experts highlight this text as a useful resource for those interested in the strategic and utilitarian elements of Hume's political thought.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191571016
ISBN-13:
9780191571015
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!