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Full Idea
It is wisely ordained by nature, that private connexions should commonly prevail over universal views and considerations; otherwise our affections and actions would be dissipated and lost, for want of a proper limited object.
Gist of Idea
Nature makes private affections come first, because public concerns are spread too thinly
Source
David Hume (Enquiry concerning Principles of Morals [1751], V.II.186n)
Book Ref
Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.229
A Reaction
A very good objection to the excessively altruistic demands of utilitarianism.
| 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] |
| 3770 | General happiness is only desirable because individuals desire their own happiness [Mill] |
| 2884 | The morality of slaves is the morality of utility [Nietzsche] |
| 4501 | Utilitarianism criticises the origins of morality, but still believes in it as much as Christians [Nietzsche] |
| 22404 | Any group interested in ethics must surely have a sentiment of generalised benevolence [Smart] |
| 4124 | Utilitarian benevolence involves no particular attachments, and is immune to the inverse square law [Williams,B] |
| 3262 | Utilitarianism is too demanding [Nagel] |