Hume's Ethical Writings. Edited and with an Introduction by Alasdair MacIntyre. Collier-Macmillan. 1965

by Alasdair MacIntyre

Writing in an age that exalted reason, the Scottish-born skeptic David Hume was the first modern philosopher to emphasize the role of psychology, or 'passion', in the formulation of moral judgments and ethical systems.

Included in this edition of his ethical writings is the entire text of An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, selections from A Treatise of Human Nature and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, and the essays 'Of the Original Contract', 'Of the Standard of Taste', and 'Of Suicide'.

Professor MacIntyre's introduction clarifies the relationship of Hume's intellect to his Calvinist background and cogently summarizes his importance to the subsequent development of moral philosophy.

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre was a British-American philosopher who contributed to moral and political philosophy as well as history of philosophy and theology. MacIntyre's After Virtue (1981) is one of the most important works of Anglophone moral and political philosophy in the 20th century. He was senior research fellow at the Centre for Contemporary Aristotelian Studies in Ethics and Politics (CASEP) at London Metropolitan University, emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, and permanent senior distinguished research fellow at the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture. During his lengthy academic career, he also taught at Brandeis University, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and Boston University.