Question

In "Of the Dignity of Meanness" or "Human Nature" by David Hume, how does the concept of self-love develop the central ideas regarding human nature?

A) Self-love is not discussed in the text.
B) Self-love is presented as a negative aspect of human nature.
C) Self-love is seen as a driving force for human actions and behaviors.
D) Self-love is portrayed as an external influence on human nature.

Answer 1

David Hume's exploration of human nature acknowledges the role of sentiments in shaping morality, which could include aspects of self-love, though not explicitly named.

Step-by-step explanation:

In David Hume's discussions on human nature, specifically in "Of the Dignity of Meanness" or "Human Nature", the concept of self-love plays a significant role in developing the central ideas about human behavior and morality. Hume does not explicitly discuss self-love as a negative aspect; rather, he suggests that our actions and morals are deeply tied to our sentiments and feelings, which can include aspects of self-love or self-interest. With morals being about how individuals feel, it can be inferred that self-love could indeed be a driving force behind our actions and behaviors, as our sentiments guide our moral judgments.

Self-love, then, in the context of Hume's philosophy, contributes to the understanding that morality is derived from subjective sentiments rather than objective facts. While self-love is not mentioned explicitly as a term in Hume's texts, his exploration into the nature of the self and how perceptions and feelings shape our understanding of morals aligns with the idea that self-love could influence our conduct and ethical considerations.