Exploring the Moral Philosophy of Francis Hutcheson: Foundations of Enlightenment Ethics

Introduction This paper explores the moral philosophy of Francis Hutcheson, an influential figure in the development of Enlightenment ethics. Hutcheson, a contemporary of philosophers like John Locke and David Hume, contributed significantly to the discourse surrounding morality, ethics, and human nature. The purpose of this report is to elucidate Hutcheson’s ethical framework, particularly his concept of moral sense, and to examine how his ideas laid the groundwork for later Enlightenment philosophers and shaped modern moral thought. This exploration will highlight the relevance of Hutcheson’s work in understanding moral philosophy and its implications for contemporary ethical discussions.

The Moral Sense Theory At the core of Hutcheson’s moral philosophy lies his theory of moral sense, which posits that humans possess an innate ability to discern right from wrong through a kind of mora