Hutcheson’s Theory of Motivation

Abstract

Hutcheson’s theory of motivation constitutes one of his most valuable contributions to moral philosophy. If originality is taken to mean novelty, then Hutcheson’s theory must be judged lacking in originality and highly derivative. Let us look at some sources of his doctrines. When he describes man’s social nature and argues that benevolence is not reducible to self- love, he is much influenced by Shaftesbury. In his claim that reason provides no motive to action he invokes the authority of Aristotle. In his doctrine of the “calm desires” he was influenced, at one point or another, by Plato, Malebranche, and Butler. But if originality may mean not just novelty but freshness of insight in the treatment of materials, then Hutcheson is in this sense original. He presents challenging discussions of almost every issue that had been raised by writers concerned with the subject of motivation as related to moral philosophy. Moreover, his trenchant criticisms of psychological egoism and psychological hedonism must be ranked with those of Butler as among the most significant contributions to the history of ethics. Incidentally, it may be noted that many of Hutchenson’ observations on the affections and passions had appeared in his Inquiry Concerning Moral Good and Evil, published in 1725, one year before the appearance of Butler’s Sermons in 1726.