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Can reason play a significant role in making moral distinctions and in generating moral precepts? In this book I attempt to provide Hume's answers to these questions in the light of his employment of the 'Experimen tal Method', his doctrine of perceptions, and his analysis of reason. In addition to this, attention is paid to some of Hume's rationalist predeces sors - most notably, Samuel Clarke and William Wollaston - in order to assess Hume's critique of the rationalists. Regarding the preparation of this book I wish to thank Professor Ronald J. Butler who introduced me to Hume's writings. Professors W. J. Huggett, R. F. McRae, and F. E. Sparshott each read the original draft of this book and provided me with extremely valuable comments and criticisms. My wife Barbara Tweyman and my mother Fay Tweyman provided me with constant support throughout the time I was preparing this book, and for this, as well as for many other things, I will always be grateful. My father-in-law, the late Joseph Millstone, a man I dearly loved and respected, also provided me with support during the time I was working on this book. His death is for me an incalculable loss, and his memory is something I will always cherish.
List of contents
One : Moral Philosophy and its Method.- I. Aim of Moral Philosophy.- II. Method.- III. Justification of the Method.- Two : Impressions and Ideas.- I. Impressions and Ideas Differ in Kind.- II. Distinctions in Kind.- III. The Criterion of Force and Vivacity.- IV. The Criterion of Substantial Existence.- V. Impressions are Paradigmatic; Ideas are Derivative.- VI. The Role of Force and Vivacity.- VII. Further Confirmation Provided by the Missing Shade of Blue.- Three : Hume's Analysis of Reason.- I. Three Senses of Reason.- II. Causal Reasoning.- III. Distinctions of Reason.- IV. Reason as the Comparison of Ideas.- Four : Reason and Conduct in Hume's Predecessors.- I. Ralph Cudworth.- II. Samuel Clarke.- III. William Wollaston.- Five : Hume contra the Rationalists.- I. Introduction.- II. Critique of Wollaston.- III. Critique of Clarke.- Six : Reason and the Will.- I. Introduction.- II. The Alleged Combat Between Reason and Passion.- Seven : Reason and Moral Conduct.- I. How Moral Rules are Obtained : The Three Stages in Hume's Argument.- II. The First Stage : The "Is-Ought" Passage.- III. The Second Stage : Examining the Impressions which Give Rise to Moral Distinctions.- IV. The Third Stage : Proving that Moral Rules Can only be Obtained from the Moral Impressions Identified in the Second Stage.- Conclusion.
