An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals Society and Class

Would we have the same motivation to work hard if we weren't allowed to own stuff? The idea of property encourages folk to spend their time carrying out useful tasks. Likewise, if a house is passed down in a family, the new owners inherit this motivation. This doesn't mean there's no flexibility: property isn't something we're tied to, and we can exchange it and enter into contracts or promises that are beneficial. Once we've agreed to any promise of this kind, we trust that both sides will keep to the bargain. Why? Altogether now: because it's useful and beneficial.

While some virtues/vices are natural, there are other categories that have been created because they serve a purpose. Think about it: the idea of ownership didn't just spring up from nowhere, and it's not something that's always been around. The idea that this is mine and this is yours makes up a social contract that we all recognize. There's no natural link between us and the stuff we own. It's only through shared ideas and language that the idea of property has come about.

Though folks may be more laid-back today, chastity has traditionally been classed as a virtue—especially for women. Don't worry—our inner feminists are bristling with disdain, too. But it's true: back in the "good" old days, failure in this area was seen as harmful to both the family unit and society at large. So much for sexual liberation. We could see this virtue as only applying to women of childbearing age, but, as Hume explains, the argument is that older women acting in an immoral way would set a bad example. We're not saying this is true, but it makes for a pretty interesting debate.

This is a point that Hume makes again and again: what's seen as useful and agreeable can depend on the society and time period we're talking about. Public speaking was a must for anyone seeking a rep in ancient times. Only the best would do, and audiences were seriously tough. That's why memory was so valued: it was vital skill for any public speaker.

This quote shows that Hume's a realist—he doesn't imagine we're living in some magical place where everyone's super-caring and nice. It's only natural that our strongest feelings should center on ourselves and those closest to us. What Hume's saying, though, is that it's precisely for this reason that we sometimes need to put aside our bias and think, "hmm, what's best for society?"

Here's another example of culture clash. In Hume's days, status in most of Europe was all about family name and the riches that folks inherited; in England, though, it was more about a person's current wealth. We're not saying one is wrong and the other's right. When it's all about the family line, this can lead to people becoming lazy and entitled (boo!), but it can also lead to ambitious types seeking a reputation (yay!). When it's all about current riches, meanwhile, people can become corrupt and dishonest, but major industries can make a tidy profit. So, what we're saying is there are pros and cons on both sides.

This quote sums up the difference between the personal and the social. When someone sees another person as an enemy or rival, they've got a private score to settle. However, once they class someone as vicious or immoral, they're not just saying that they have a beef with them—they're making a judgment about this person's character and behavior, and they expect us to nod and say "you're so right!"

It's human nature to feel good about ourselves when others flatter us or to feel angry/upset when someone criticizes or looks down on us. The thing is, no matter how many friends we may have on Facebook, this is a tiny fraction of the human race. What about all the other stuff that goes on in the world? When we hear about brutality or oppression, even if it took place in a past age or a faraway country, we see it as bad. Sometimes, we have to go beyond our own private bubble to make a moral judgment.

Here, Hume points out that we don't just spend our days wandering around in our own private world, oblivious to how folk see us. Instead, we look at ourselves through other people's eyes and think about how we come across. This isn't always a good thing; especially if we start obsessing over what others think. On the flip side, though, it's by reviewing our behavior that we get an idea of how others see us and whether there's anything we need to work on.

Through the simple example of two guys rowing a boat, we get an idea of how useful cooperation can be. Throughout Enquiry, Hume emphasizes that it's natural for people to organize themselves into groups and societies: it's all about people working together to achieve something, and this has led to common languages and currencies. Pretty straightforward, no?