The Humean Theory of Reasons

We’ve just read the chapter in which Smith defends the Humean Theory of Motivation. Smith calls this a Humean Theory of “motivating reasons”, and he thinks that it is true, and part of why the moral problem presents us with a serious puzzle. In his next chapter, which we’ll read next week, Smith is going to go on to defend what he calls an “anti-Humean” theory of “normative reasons”. Smith’s theory of normative reasons is so called because it rejects what is known as the Humean Theory of Reasons. We will be learning much more about the Humean Theory of Reasons and its consequences in the second half of the semester.

The Classical Argument

Both of these “Humean” ideas are named after this historical philosopher David Hume, but not by coincidence. It turns out that the most important traditional reason why philosophers have tended to believe the Humean Theory of Reasons is an argument one of whose premises is the Humean Theory of Motivation. This traditional motivation for the Humean Theory of Reasons is what I call the classical argument for the HTR. Seeing how the classical argument for the Humean Theory of Reasons resembles the classical argument for noncognitivism (that is, how it resembles the moral problem) will be very instructive for us to appreciate the central role that the Humean Theory of Motivation plays in much metaethical theorizing of the last hundred years.

Bernard Williams

Bernard Williams, who I claim will be played by Michael Caine when they make the philosophy movie, is the same Williams of Smith’s “one thought too many” argument. But in his equally famous article “Internal and External Reasons”, Williams argues that what reasons we have to act depends in an important way on the features of our motivational psychologies that determine what we might actually be motivated to do. Williams’ thesis in this paper is a version of the Humean Theory of Reasons, but he calls his view “sub-Humean”, because he does not think that it is only desires that make the right kind of psychological difference.

Reading

As you read Williams’ article, ask yourself what role Williams’ “sub-Humean” model plays in his argument. Do you find what he says about Owen Wingrave convincing? What would you say if Wingrave felt the same way about being careful not to murder people as he feels about joining the army?