sentimentalismin

Sentimentalism is a family of ethical theories that hold that basic moral judgments are grounded in human sentiments—feelings of approval, disapproval, sympathy, or benevolence—rather than in reason alone or in objective rules. In 18th-century British philosophy, sentimentalism is most closely associated with Francis Hutcheson and David Hume, with Adam Smith developing the idea further through his account of sympathy and moral approval. Hutcheson argued that moral distinctions arise from a moral sense that approves benevolence and disapproves cruelty. Hume maintained that reason cannot motivate moral action and that moral distinctions spring from emotional responses, particularly feelings of sympathy and the human tendency to approve virtuous behavior.

Core claims of sentimentalism include that moral judgment is ultimately grounded in affective responses, that individuals are motivated to act by these sentiments, and that moral norms emerge from a shared capacity to experience sympathy with others. The approach emphasizes the social and psychological dimensions of morality, often highlighting how imagined or actual others’ feelings shape one’s own moral evaluations. Some writers view sentimentalism as compatible with or a precursor to virtue ethics, emphasizing character and emotional development.

Criticisms focus on subjectivity, variability across individuals and cultures, and questions about how reliable sentiment is as a guide to truth or right action. Critics also challenge whether feelings alone can provide objective moral standards or resolve conflicting judgments. Proponents respond by arguing that sentiment is guided by generalizable human capacities—such as benevolence and empathy—and can be refined through moral education and reflective judgment.

Today, sentimentalist ideas influence moral psychology, debates about the role of emotions in ethics, and discussions of empathy and moral education, even as many contemporary theories seek to combine affective insights with rational assessment.