It's been a while since I read Hume but my recollection is that Hume is in accord with common sense i.e. statements of "ought" are statements of end goals, and these can obviously only ever come from the human heart i.e. feelings, emotions, passions, desires. Action (in terms of end goals) is always (no exceptions) motivated by the anticipation of an emotional reward. (This is what Dan Gilbert calls affective forecasting).
Statements of "is" are beliefs about how the world works, they are a model of the world. Obviously that model is completely inert (in terms of end goals), and action is only possible with a motivating desire. IS statements (knowledge, facts) are thus only ever instrumental as tools in pursuit of emotional goals.
It's all very simple.
BTW, Hume's manner of speaking is uber polite, hence "seems" is his polite way of saying: "you're an idiot".
Statements of "is" are beliefs about how the world works, they are a model of the world. Obviously that model is completely inert (in terms of end goals), and action is only possible with a motivating desire. IS statements (knowledge, facts) are thus only ever instrumental as tools in pursuit of emotional goals.
It's all very simple.
BTW, Hume's manner of speaking is uber polite, hence "seems" is his polite way of saying: "you're an idiot".
