'Is & Ought' in David Hume

[Mudhammam]

While we may have no difficulty in going from an "is" to an "ought" for ourselves, there is no common currency for issuing oughts to others. The facts of my internal states only move myself and those who feel as I do. I cannot compel another to feel as I do and so I cannot issue an ought. I can of course band with those who feel as I do to coerce those whose behavior we find monstrous to desist. We are justified by the facts of our internal states to do so. Just as they are justified by their own lights to do as they will so long as they can. That is where justice as a social convention kicks in.

(I think) I disagree. The question "Is it right to kick babies?" while connected, is different from the question, "Should society punish baby-abusers?" I refuse to accept that the first question, rephrased in the statement, "One ought not to kick babies," boils down to simply, "I have an opinion about how babies ought to be treated that may be completely contrary to yours, and moreover, both are equally valid with respect to each individual's internal states." In fact we can compel others to agree with us, at least in action, and that's why we often use the threat of force when reason fails to persuade.