Abstract
Using a virtue ethics framework derived from David Hume, I focus on the perspective of a citizen or legal resident of a state receiving irregular (undocumented, “illegal”) immigrants, rather than focusing on questions concerning the rights of immigrants or what justice requires of states. What view should a virtuous citizen take of the many issues concerning irregular immigration into her country? This question involves both the virtues of the citizen or legal resident herself and her view of the virtues and vices of the immigrants. I argue that there are tensions within such a virtues approach, that understanding these tensions allows us to grasp the contrasting attitudes concerning immigration, and that on balance a virtuous person will respond to the plight of irregular migrants with sympathetic concern tempered by recognition of the need for order. I conclude with a plea for another Humean virtue, moderation.
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Henley, K. (2016). Reconciling the Virtues of Humanity and Respect for the Rule of Law: Irregular Immigration from the Perspective of Humean Virtue Ethics. In: Cudd, A., Lee, Wc. (eds) Citizenship and Immigration - Borders, Migration and Political Membership in a Global Age. AMINTAPHIL: The Philosophical Foundations of Law and Justice, vol 6. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32786-0_11
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