哲学者ではない者が哲学をする理由はあるか --ヒュームにおける哲学の任意性--

Abstract

Can people without a philosophical temperament be led to do philosophy? This paper explores how Hume answers this question. Traditionally, based on the essay “the Sceptic, ” Hume has been seen as taking a pessimistic view that those without a philosophical temperament have no reason to philosophize. Philosophy is open only to those who are inclined to do it. In recent years, however, several scholars have pointed out that Hume does not espouse such pessimism and that he considers philosophy to be beneficial to many people. In particular, Hume believes that philosophy can help people through moral improvement and curing superstition. Then, the crucial question is how people can be led to do philosophy. Some scholars attribute to Hume the view that temperaments are more flexible than the sceptic assumes. Non-philosophers can change their temperament to a philosophical one. In response to these interpretations, I point out that Hume is extremely pessimistic about altering a person’s temperament. Instead, I attempt to find in Hume the view that one can have reasons for philosophizing by changing their external and social circumstances without altering their temperament. I suggest that Hume's social thought, particularly in the Essays, Moral, Political and Literary, presents such a view.