The general point of view as the normative and unifying concept in Hume's Treatise
My dissertation attempts to read David Humeâs <i>A Treatise of Human Nature </i>as a consistent moral theory, by showing the underlying unity of the three Books of the <i>Treatise. </i>In particular, I argue that the concept of the âgeneral point of viewâ plays a central role in unifying the <i>Treatise,</i> which in the final instance proves to be about normativity. Most of all, I clarify the parallel between Humeâs epistemology and his moral theory to present Humeâs moral theory as what I call âa constructivism of perceptionsâ. I start by exploring Humeâs epistemology and his concept of custom, fundamentally understood as a principle of stability. I clarify that custom consists in recognizing a particular perception in association with other resembling perceptions. I claim this is what it means to take the general point of view. I then show that custom is the basis of Humeâs theory of causation, where the concept of custom plays the central role of embodying the general point of view. I show that because of the development of custom Humeâs theory of causation is related to his theory of the perception of external bodies, which completes our perception of physical circumstances. In the
Yajima, Naoki
The general point of view as the normative and unifying concept in Hume's Treatise. My dissertation attempts to read David Humeâs <i>A Treatise of Human Nature </i>as a consistent moral theory, by showing the underlying unity of the three Books of the <i>Treatise. </i>In particular, I argue that the concept of the âgeneral point of viewâ plays a central role in unifying the <i>Treatise,</i> which in the final instance proves to be about normativity. Most of all, I clarify the parallel between Humeâs epistemology and his moral theory to present Humeâs moral theory as what I call âa constructivism of perceptionsâ. I start by exploring Humeâs epistemology and his concept of custom, fundamentally understood as a principle of stability. I clarify that custom consists in recognizing a particular perception in association with other resembling perceptions. I claim this is what it means to take the general point of view. I then show that custom is the basis of Humeâs theory of causation, where the concept of custom plays the central role of embodying the general point of view. I show that because of the development of custom Humeâs theory of causation is related to his theory of the perception of external bodies, which completes our perception of physical circumstances. In the
general point_view normative unifying concept hume treatise attempt read hume treatise human_nature consistent moral_theory show underlying unity books treatise particular argue concept general point_view play_central_role unifying treatise final instance prove normativity clarify parallel hume epistemology moral_theory present hume moral_theory call constructivism perception start explore hume epistemology concept custom fundamentally understood principle stability clarify custom consist recognize particular perception association resemble perception claim mean take general point_view show custom basis hume theory causation concept custom play_central_role embody general point_view show development custom hume theory causation relate theory perception external body complete perception physical circumstance