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Single Idea 6253
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 1. On Reason
]
Full Idea
Reason is our power of finding out true propositions.
Gist of Idea
Reason is our power of finding out true propositions
Source
Francis Hutcheson (Treatise 4: The Moral Sense [1728], §I)
Book Ref
'British Moralists 1650-1800 Vol. 1', ed/tr. Raphael,D.D. [Hackett 1991], p.307
A Reaction
This strikes me as a very good definition. I don't see how you can define reason without mentioning truth, and you can't believe in reason if you don't believe in truth. The concept of reason entails the concept of a good reason.
The
20 ideas
from Francis Hutcheson
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6238
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We approve of actions by a superior moral sense
[Hutcheson]
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6239
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We dislike a traitor, even if they give us great benefit
[Hutcheson]
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6240
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The moral sense is not an innate idea, but an ability to approve or disapprove in a disinterested way
[Hutcheson]
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6241
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Contempt of danger is just madness if it is not in some worthy cause
[Hutcheson]
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6242
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We cannot choose our moral feelings, otherwise bribery could affect them
[Hutcheson]
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6243
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As death approaches, why do we still care about family, friends or country?
[Hutcheson]
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6244
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Human nature seems incapable of universal malice, except what results from self-love
[Hutcheson]
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6245
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That action is best, which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest number
[Hutcheson]
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6246
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My action is not made good by a good effect, if I did not foresee and intend it
[Hutcheson]
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6247
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Everyone feels uneasy when seeing others in pain, unless the others are evil
[Hutcheson]
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6248
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Reason is too slow and doubtful to guide all actions, which need external and moral senses
[Hutcheson]
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6250
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We say God is good if we think everything he does aims at the happiness of his creatures
[Hutcheson]
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6249
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If goodness is constituted by God's will, it is a tautology to say God's will is good
[Hutcheson]
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6251
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The loss of perfect rights causes misery, but the loss of imperfect rights reduces social good
[Hutcheson]
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6252
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Happiness is a pleasant sensation, or continued state of such sensations
[Hutcheson]
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6253
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Reason is our power of finding out true propositions
[Hutcheson]
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6254
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We are asked to follow God's ends because he is our benefactor, but why must we do that?
[Hutcheson]
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6255
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Why may God not have a superior moral sense very similar to ours?
[Hutcheson]
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6257
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You can't form moral rules without an end, which needs feelings and a moral sense
[Hutcheson]
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6256
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Can't the moral sense make mistakes, as the other senses do?
[Hutcheson]
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