Abstract The book begins with a close examination of Hume’s use of an experimental method to explain the origin, nature, and effects of pride, an indirect passion that reflects a person’s sense of self-worth in virtue of her valuable qualities, for example, her character or wealth. In explaining the origin of pride in terms of efficient causes, Hume displaces the traditional appeal to final causes, and is positioned to give an account of the significance for us of the passions in terms of a social theory. Chapter 2 begins to reconstruct this social theory, looking in particular at how the principle of sympathy functions to transmit cultural meanings and values. Chapter 3 examines Hume’s account of social power, especially with regard to “rank” and “sex.” Chapter 4 argues for the importance of Hume’s more sophisticated moral philosophy in his Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals, since it emphasizes certain virtues of good moral evaluation. The most important principle in Hume’s mature moral philosophy is that of humanity. Humanity has its source in sympathy and reflects our general preference for those virtues that promote the happiness of mankind. Hume also examines the harms of inhumanity, including the treatment of women in slaveholding societies. Hume champions the more just and humane social arrangements of modern societies, because they increase both sociability and knowledge. The principle of humanity stands as the central concept of Hume’s Enlightenment philosophy.
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