The previous chapter discussed the projection of pleasure and pain. This chapter examines the status of the projected, namely pleasure and pain. It is argued that Hume's treatment of these states is consistent with a form of metaphysical hedonism, whereby pleasure and pain are thought essentially valuable or aversion-worthy. ‘Of the influencing motives of the will’ and Hume's attack on moral rationalism are re-read in the light of this claim.
Keywords: pleasure, pain, cognition, passion, realism