The idea of the self in the evolution of Hume's account of the passions

Abstract

Terence Penelhum has written extensively about the role of the idea of the self in Hume's account of the emotional and moral life of persons. Penelhum fails to notice, however, a change that takes place in the way that the idea of the self functions in Hume's account of the passions as that account evolved after the Treatise. This paper charts part of that evolution, and reflects on its significance for Hume's moral psychology.

Keywords::

• self
• passions
• character
• sympathy
• sentiment of humanity

Notes

^1. Originally titled Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding.

^2. Originally titled “Of the Passions”.

^3. The question of whether moral sentiments are themselves indirect passions is not one I will address here.

^4. See T 3.2.2.27; SBN 501 concerning the desire for a reputation for justice.

^5. See particularly “Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature” (1741), “Of the Delicacy of Taste and Passion” (1741) and “Of National Characters” (1748).

^6. See, for example, EPM 5.1 n. 17; SBN 213, paralleling T 3.1.2.4; SBN 471–472; EPM 5.41 n.24; SBN 228, paralleling T 3.3.1.19–21; SBN 584–585; EPM 5.42 n. 25; SBN 229, paralleling T 3.3.1.16; SBN 582; EPM 7.2 n. 35; SBN 251, expressing the view in T 3.2.1.18; SBN 483–484, and other passages; EPM 6.33 n.34; SBN 248, on comparison; EPM App 4.6; SBN 316–317, n. 67, compare with T 3.3.4.2; SBN 607–608 and T 2.2.10.4; SBN 390.

^7. Hume also uses the language of contagion in the essay “Of National Characters” as well (E-NC 202).

^8. See also EPM 5.17 n. 19; SBN 219–220; 5.39; SBN 225–226; 5.43; SBN 230; 6.22; SBN 243–244; and 9.7; SBN 273. A number of other passages use slightly different language: for example, EPM 6.3 n. 26; SBN 234; 9.4; SBN 270–271; and 9.9; SBN 275–276.

^9. Hume also includes the desire for fame in this list of original instincts. This will be discussed separately below.

^10. See also EPM 5.39; SBN 225–226; 5.43; SBN 230; 6.3 n. 26; SBN 234; and 6.5; SBN 235–236.

^11. David Hume, A Dissertation on the Passions, in A Dissertation on the Passions and The Natural History of Religion, ed. Tom L. Beauchamp (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2007), here cited as “DP” followed by the section and paragraph number.

^12. Hume does mention the idea of the self in another context in the Dissertation, at DP 3.4. This paragraph is an abbreviated version of Treatise 2.2.4.7, explaining the love of acquaintances. As was discussed in section V of this paper, sympathy in this context is not explaining the communication of any particular passion.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane McIntyre

Jane L. McIntyre is Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Cleveland State University, and a past president of the Hume Society. Her publications have focused on Hume's account of the self and the centrality of the passions to Hume's philosophical position.