Comparing David Hume and Immanuel Kant Essay - 1356 Words

Comparing David Hume and Immanuel Kant David Hume and Immanuel Kant each made a significant break from other theorists in putting forward a morality that doesn’t require a higher being or god, for a man to recognize his moral duty. Although Hume and Kant shared some basic principals they differed on their view of morality. In comparing the different views on human will and the maxims established to determine moral worth by David Hume and Immanuel Kant, I find their theories on morality have some merit although limited in view. Hume and Kant shared some basic principle of empiricism, but each took different directions on the theory of morality. The moral theory of Hume was based on his belief that reason alone can never cause†¦show more content†¦Reason alone is the element Kant believes motivates moral actions rather than Hume’s senses. Kant also differs from Hume on the concept of human will. The essential difference between Hume and Kant that affected their whole thinking on the matter of morality was each ones belief about the autonomy of the will. Hume believed that reason is primarily the slave of the passions. Morals excite passions and produce or prevent actions and reason is unimportant in this equation. Hume believed that the rules of morality could not be conclusions of reason. Hume proclaimed that although reason can judge notions, ideas and matters of fact, the most noticeable results never persuade us to action as much as the slightest emotion or feeling can do. Hume proclaim ed â€Å"that we cannot derive ought from is -- that is, the view that statements of moral obligation cannot simply be deduced from statements of fact.† (Hume, 2001) Hume believed no data regardless of reliability or fact ever required a moral obligation or a result in action. â€Å"Hume upheld that reason is, and ought to be the slave of the passions† (Hume, 2001) Hume derived that human emotion flows from us naturally without the interference of reason. However, Kant saw the will as fully independent and needing no external sources for motivation making it possible to act out of reason alone. Kant believed reasoning can determine that some option is good or required and in doing so, it presents itselfShow MoreRelatedImmanuel Kant And David Hume847 Words   |  4 PagesMary Midgley critically analyzes philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and David Hume, and argues that they have greatly influenced our way of thinking. She quotes G.R. 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