An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

What makes an action good, and why do we admire some people more than others?

In An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, David Hume turns his attention from knowledge and reason to the foundations of human morality. Rather than grounding morality in abstract rules or divine commands, Hume argues that our moral judgments arise largely from human feeling. We approve of qualities such as kindness, honesty, generosity, and justice because we recognize their value to ourselves and to society. At the heart of his argument is the idea of sympathy: our ability to share in the happiness and suffering of others helps explain why we call certain actions virtuous and others harmful. Clear, practical, and often surprisingly modern, Hume’s work offers a powerful account of morality based on human nature and our relationships with one another.

• One of Hume’s most important works on ethics, first published in 1751
• Explores virtue, justice, benevolence, sympathy, self-interest, and human happiness
• Argues that moral judgments are rooted in human sentiment rather than reason alone
• Examines why we admire qualities that benefit both individuals and society
• Develops Hume’s influential distinction between natural and artificial virtues
• A foundational text in modern moral philosophy and one of the clearest expressions of Hume’s ethical thought

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Accessible, thoughtful, and deeply human, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals asks us to look beyond abstract rules and consider what actually makes people admire kindness, fairness, courage, and generosity. Hume’s answer remains a powerful reminder that morality begins with our shared human nature.

About the Author

David Hume (1711–1776) was a Scottish philosopher, historian, and essayist and one of the most important thinkers of the Enlightenment. His work transformed debates about knowledge, causation, morality, religion, and human nature. His major philosophical works include A Treatise of Human Nature, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, and An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. Hume’s emphasis on experience, sentiment, and human psychology had a profound influence on later philosophy and helped establish the foundations of modern empiricism and moral philosophy.