A comparison of the ethical philosophies of John Locke and David Hume

The purpose of this study is to present a comparative examination of the moral philosophies of John Locke and David Hume, two 17th- and 18th-century philosophers known as Enlightenment philosophers for their emphasis on the development of the moral problem in the history of philosophy. These philosophers are considered important thinkers in the history of philosophy. Moral philosophy is a philosophical discipline that questions the origin, validity, and universality of the principles and values that guide individual behaviour. This discipline questions the behaviour of individuals and societies while simultaneously seeking to provide foundations for these principles. This inquiry, which has continued from antiquity to the present day, is connected to human nature, will, freedom, and their relationship with society. At the heart of the moral problem lie fundamental questions such as: What are the criteria for good and bad behaviour? What is the source of moral action? Locke and Hume, by linking their understanding of morality to their epistemology, attempt to establish that our knowledge and moral judgments derive from experience. While both philosophers base the source of morality on experience, Locke differs from Hume in his inclusion of God and reason in moral assessments Our study, in line with its comparative purpose, consists of an introduction, three main sections, and a conclusion. The first section of the thesis attempts to examine the origins of John Locke's moral understanding, based on its foundation. The second section similarly examines Hume's moral understanding. The third section compares the moral understandings of both philosophers and attempts to evaluate them from a critical perspective. Keywords: John Locke, David Hume, Morality, Reason, Emotion