Philosophy

Hume: Reason and Sentiment: 3 key ideas

by David Hume

The core ideas of Hume: Reason and Sentiment, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 3

   Reason serves the passions

   Hume argued that reason tells us how to get what we want but cannot by itself tell us what to want.

   Feelings drive moral judgment.

2. IDEA 2 OF 3

   Is and ought

   You cannot derive what should be purely from what is.

   Facts alone do not settle values, a key point in policy debates.

3. IDEA 3 OF 3

   Custom and habit

   Much of our belief rests on habit rather than proof.

   Healthy scepticism keeps us humble.