AbstractsPhilosophy & Theology

A criticism of the naturalistic ethics of Hume.

by Ernest Samuel. Reed




Institution: McGill University
Department: Department of English.
Degree: MA.
Year: 1938
Keywords: ETHICS; Hume, David, 1711-1776.
Record ID: 1516562
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile131794.pdf


Abstract

When the twentieth century comes to be reviewed a hundred years hence, one of the most noteworthy characteristics will, without doubt, be the extraordinary fruitfulness which the thought of evolution has enjoyed in this century. As we write, it is a record of fact that, while in biological circles there are explanations of the evolutionary process other than that of "Natural Selection" as suggested by Darwin, yet the theory of evolution has met with such universal acceptance that it is now taken for granted; not only does it provide a background for biological thought, but it has given a method - and in many cases a terminology - to the study of origins and developments in many diverse realms of thought. Even the critics of Darwin have become his beneficiaries; nowhere is this more clearly seen than amongst theologians from whose number came many sharp criticisms of Darwin, both in the years immediately following and for some years after the publication of "Origin of Species" and "Descent of Man". Today, theologians make use of the thought of evolution in their treatment of comparative religions, showing Christianity as the goal of the evolutionary process in religious development, as well as making use of the concept in other branches of theological study. [...]