Reason is governed by passions and emotions from "summary" of A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume
In the course of my inquiries into the nature of human understanding, I have arrived at a most striking and seemingly contradictory conclusion: that reason, far from being the sole governor of our actions, is in fact subservient to our passions and emotions. This assertion may at first glance appear perplexing, for we are accustomed to thinking of reason as the guiding force behind our decisions and behaviors. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that our passions and emotions hold a much greater sway over our actions than we might care to admit. When we consider the various motives that drive us to act in particular ways, we find that they often stem from our feelings and desires, rather than from any rational calculation of the consequences of our actions. For example, when we are motivated to pursue pleasure or avoid pain, it is our emotions that propel us to seek out certain experiences and avoid others, rather than a careful weighing of the pros and cons. Similarly, when we are moved to act out of love, envy, or anger, it is our passions that dictate our behavior, overriding any rational considerations that might counsel restraint. Indeed, it is our passions and emotions that give color and vitality to our lives, infusing our actions with meaning and significance. Without these motivating forces, reason would be impotent to move us to action, for it is our desires and inclinations that provide the impetus for us to act in the first place. In this way, our passions and emotions are not mere impediments to rational decision-making, but rather the very source of our motivation and drive. It is important to note, however, that this does not mean that reason plays no role in our decision-making processes. Rather, reason acts as a servant to our passions and emotions, helping us to achieve our ends by devising means to satisfy our desires. Reason can provide us with the knowledge and understanding necessary to navigate the world and achieve our goals, but it is always our passions and emotions that ultimately determine the direction of our actions. In light of these considerations, we must reconsider our conventional understanding of the relationship between reason and the passions. Far from being opposed to one another, reason and the passions are in fact intimately intertwined, working together to guide us through the complexities of human existence. It is only by recognizing the essential role that our emotions play in shaping our actions that we can hope to gain a more complete understanding of the workings of the human mind and the motivations that drive us to act as we do.
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