~Pray what moral sentiments did your wild couple possess, when first they met?~ : the relationship between language, sociability and morality in the works of David Hume, Adam Smith, and Thomas Reid
Aiming to construct a comprehensive analysis of Humeâs scattered linguistic references, it will be argued that the relevance of examining Humeâs characterisation of language relates directly to his claim that it is custom and convention, rather than autonomous reason or innate sentiment, which are principle means of shaping manâs social and moral character. As a result, references to language and language use by Hume served as a significant tool in illustrating and substantiating his more general theoretical claims regarding manâs social and moral character. Building upon the analysis of Hume, the thesis next turns its attention to an exploration of the influence of such linguistic assumptions on the moral theory of Adam Smith. While agreeing with many of Humeâs interpretations as to the character of language, it is clear that Smith did not share Humeâs faith in the ability of linguistic convention to serve as a reliable medium of moral guidance. Maintaining that Smithâs <i>The Theory of Moral Sentiments </i>and writings on rhetoric are at the centre of his thinking on language and language use, we will investigate how his characterisation of language is reflected in, and exercised influence
Wilder, Keith E.
~Pray what moral sentiments did your wild couple possess, when first they met?~ : the relationship between language, sociability and morality in the works of David Hume, Adam Smith, and Thomas Reid. Aiming to construct a comprehensive analysis of Humeâs scattered linguistic references, it will be argued that the relevance of examining Humeâs characterisation of language relates directly to his claim that it is custom and convention, rather than autonomous reason or innate sentiment, which are principle means of shaping manâs social and moral character. As a result, references to language and language use by Hume served as a significant tool in illustrating and substantiating his more general theoretical claims regarding manâs social and moral character. Building upon the analysis of Hume, the thesis next turns its attention to an exploration of the influence of such linguistic assumptions on the moral theory of Adam Smith. While agreeing with many of Humeâs interpretations as to the character of language, it is clear that Smith did not share Humeâs faith in the ability of linguistic convention to serve as a reliable medium of moral guidance. Maintaining that Smithâs <i>The Theory of Moral Sentiments </i>and writings on rhetoric are at the centre of his thinking on language and language use, we will investigate how his characterisation of language is reflected in, and exercised influence
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