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Full Idea
Suppose nature has bestowed on humans such abundance of external conveniences that every individual is fully provided with whatever his appetites can want. …Justice, in that case, would be totally useless, and have no place in the catalogue of virtues.
Gist of Idea
If we all naturally had everything we could ever desire, the virtue of justice would be irrelevant
Source
David Hume (Enquiry concerning Principles of Morals [1751], I.III.145)
Book Ref
Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.183
A Reaction
[compressed] This seems to emphasise possessions and satisfaction of appetites, but presumably it would also need total security from other humans, which nature might struggle to provide. No sharing in this imagined world.
| 3919 | Conclusions of reason do not affect our emotions or decisions to act [Hume] |
| 3918 | Moral philosophy aims to show us our duty [Hume] |
| 23560 | If we all naturally had everything we could ever desire, the virtue of justice would be irrelevant [Hume] |
| 3920 | If you equalise possessions, people's talents will make them unequal again [Hume] |
| 3921 | The safety of the people is the supreme law [Hume] |
| 3922 | Justice only exists to support society [Hume] |
| 3925 | Personal Merit is the possession of useful or agreeable mental qualities [Hume] |
| 3926 | The human heart has a natural concern for public good [Hume] |
| 3929 | No moral theory is of any use if it doesn't serve the interests of the individual concerned [Hume] |
| 3928 | Virtue just requires careful calculation and a preference for the greater happiness [Hume] |
| 3927 | Society prefers helpful lies to harmful truth [Hume] |
| 3923 | No one would cause pain to a complete stranger who happened to be passing [Hume] |
| 3924 | Nature makes private affections come first, because public concerns are spread too thinly [Hume] |