David Hume: Of Justice and Injustice

Of Justice and Injustice: David Hume

Adult Great Books Program, First Series, Volume 2, 1985

Discussion Questions

1. Hume says (page 147) that “…when we praise any actions, we regard only the motives that produced them...” and (page 148) that “…all virtuous actions derive their merit only from virtuous motives…” Do you agree? What does Hume mean by “virtuous”?

2. Hume discusses an example (page 149) of him paying back money that he borrowed from someone, and he asks “what reason or motive do I have to restore the money?” What is his answer? How does “public interest” factor into his arguments. Do you agree?

3. To Hume, what are the main “defects” or “inconveniences” that humans have compared to animals? How does “society” help to address these? [pages 153-154] What specific feature of society is so important to Hume?

4. What does Hume think about “selfishness” in humans? [page 155] Do you agree or disagree? Why? Or why not?

5. What does Hume say are the three categories of goods? How does instability of possession and scarcity impact his thinking? [page 156] What role do these play in his concept of society, and, therefore, his concepts of justice and injustice?

6. Hume says that we are naturally biased toward our family and friends, but that society provides a “remedy’? What is it? Why is it important to his concept of justice? [pages 157 ff.] Do you think that this remedy actually works?

7. Hume provides a good summary of his argument on page 162, para. 1 (finally!). Does his argument hold together?

8. Hume says that there are two operations of the mind (page 161), “affections and understanding”. Is this a fair statement? Are there others? And, what does this dichotomy have to do with his statements about justice?

9. What does Hume say is the origin of “justice”? [page 163] Is he right about the importance of selfishness and scarcity?

10. Hume says that in a “state of nature” there is neither justice or injustice (page 167). Why? What is his argument? Do you agree? [Would Darwin? Freud? Rousseau?]

11. What role does “private property” play in his views of justice and injustice? What is the role of the “division of labor”?

BONUS QUESTIONS!

12. In a prior reading, we saw that Darwin placed great importance to “social instincts” to his views of “morality”. Are Hume and Darwin really saying the same thing?

13. In a prior reading, Rousseau argued for a “social contract” in which individuals basically trade “freedoms” for “protection.” How is this similar to Hume’s views? How is it different?