Universität zu Köln

Galvagni, Enrico (2020). HUME ON PRIDE, VANITY AND SOCIETY. J. Scott. Philos., 18 (2). S. 157 - 174. EDINBURGH: EDINBURGH UNIV PRESS. ISSN 1755-2001

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Abstract

Pride is a fundamental element in Hume's description of human nature. An important part of the secondary literature on Hume is devoted to this passion. However, no one, as far as I am aware, takes seriously the fact that pride often appears in pairs with vanity. In Book 2 of the Treatise, pride is defined as the passion one feels when society recognizes his connection to a 'cause', composed by a 'subject' and a (positive) 'quality'. Conversely, no definition of vanity is provided. Despite Hume's fluctuating vocabulary, I hold that a conceptual difference between pride and vanity exists. To support this claim, I analyse the common features of these two passions, showing that both pride and vanity (a) are indirect passions, (b) are self-regarding passions, and (c) have the same structure. Supported by textual evidence, I then claim that vanity is a desire of reputation, a desire to feel pride, when pride is not (yet) in place, because its cause is only imaginary and not real. Nonetheless, I underscore that, at times, 'vanity' means simply pride and call for greater attention on this ongoing oscillation. In conclusion, I explore the implications of this account of vanity for social interactions in Hume's philosophy, which illustrates its intrinsic ambivalence.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Galvagni, Enrico UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-330823
DOI:	10.3366/jsp.2020.0265
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Scott. Philos.
Volume:	18
Number:	2
Page Range:	S. 157 - 174
Date:	2020
Publisher:	EDINBURGH UNIV PRESS
Place of Publication:	EDINBURGH
ISSN:	1755-2001
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language VIRTUE Multiple languages Philosophy Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/33082