著者

石川 徹

出版者

香川大学

雑誌

香川大学教育学部研究報告. 第I部 (ISSN:04549309)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.125, pp.17-31, 2006

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In this paper, we examine Reid's theory of principles of action., especially, mechanical principles and animal principles. And from these we will try to construct his ideas about what human being is. Mechanical principles are divided into instinct and habit. They may operate without exertion of will and reason. There are three kinds of animal principles, i.e. appetites, desires, and affections. Appetites are grounded on physical conditions of man and their object is to help man to survive. Desires are of social character. They drive man to be social. Affections are the principles of action whose object is other person. We may think they correspond to what out modern usage of the words "emotion" or "passion" mean. It seems obvious that the latter two are peculiar to human being. Why they are called "animal principles"? We can best understand its meaning in contrast to rational principles of action. And we find Reid's thoughts about what man is, especially, about his affection has very much in common with Hume's thoughts, in spite of their theoretical differences. We can see the deep influence of Hume on Reid.