Title: Hume on Ill Will and the Possibility of Forgiveness
Abstract: Hume does not write about forgiveness, but one can examine his theory of the emotions and moral evaluation to see what follows from it about that phenomenon. Interestingly, Adam Smith (who also does not address the topic) offers a theory of the moral sentiments from which it follows that forgiveness is conceptually impossible. After first exhibiting the consequence of Smith’s position, I consider whether Hume, given his own accounts of hatred, ill will, and moral disapprobation, also renders forgiveness impossible. The answer depends on which of two interpretations of Humean moral disapprobation we accept. If we adopt one well-known interpretation, then yes, Hume does rule out forgiveness, though he makes it psychologically rather than conceptually impossible. If we adopt a contrary reading, then Hume allows the possibility of forgiveness, but only under highly constrained circumstances.
Sponsored by The Edward J. and Dorothy Clarke Kempf Fund at Yale University.
