Georgia State University ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University Philosophy Theses Department of Philosophy Summer 7-11-2012 Hume on the Nature of Moral Freedom Getty L. Lustila Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/philosophy_theses Recommended Citation Lustila, Getty L., "Hume on the Nature of Moral Freedom." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2012. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/philosophy_theses/118 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Philosophy at ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Philosophy Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. HUME ON THE NATURE OF MORAL FREEDOM by GETTY L. LUSTILA Under the Direction of Eric E. Wilson ABSTRACT Paul Russell argues that the interpretation of Hume as a classical compatibilist is misguided. Russell defends a naturalistic reading of Humean freedom and moral responsibility. On this account, Hume holds two theses: that moral responsibility is a product of our moral sentiments, and that our concept of moral freedom is derived from our considerations of moral responsibility. Russell claims that Hume’s theory of the passions is non-cognitivist, and thus that his account of moral judgment fails to distinguish between voluntary and involuntary actions or qualities of mind. He concludes that Hume’s account of moral responsibility is inadequate. I argue that Hume has a cognitivist account of the passions. For Hume, our character is judged to be a proper object of praise or censure on account of our ability to partake in a moral community with our fellows.