CEPPA Talk (in-person) – Enrico Galvagni (University of Edinburgh)

Title: Hume’s One and Only Definition of Virtue

Abstract: Hume’s moral philosophy is seen by many as a form of virtue ethics that includes two different definitions of virtue. On the one hand, Hume seems to define virtue as a mental quality generating utility and agreeableness to oneself or others. On the other hand, he also says that it is a mental quality that receives moral approbation. Interpreters argue about which of these definitions is more fundamental and try to reconcile them into a unified account. Against such readings, I argue that Hume has only one definition of virtue as a character trait that generates moral approbation. Utility and agreeableness play a fundamental role in his ethics, but one that does not relate to his definition of virtue. In turn, this provide reason to question the now mainstream interpretation of Hume as a virtue ethicist.

Location: Edgecliffe G03 and online on teams