# Section XI: Of the Amorous Passion, or Love Betwixt the Sexes explained — A Treatise of Human Nature

> Chapter companion for A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume.

## What happens

Hume examines the compound passion of love between the sexes, arguing that it arises from the conjunction of three distinct impressions: the pleasing sensation of beauty, the bodily appetite for generation, and a generous kindness or goodwill. He explains how these passions are connected through relations of resemblance and parallel desires, and how the double relation of impressions and ideas is necessary for the production of this passion. He also uses this example to illustrate his broader theory of pride, humility, love, and hatred, emphasizing that objects alone cannot cause passions without related emotions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Passions and the Self

Hume explores the compound passion of love, its components, and how they relate to the self and others.

### Association of Ideas

The chapter demonstrates the role of relations of resemblance and parallel desires in connecting passions and ideas.

## Character check-ins

### David Hume

Author and philosopher, presents his analysis of the amorous passion.

## Key lines

> Of all the compound passions, which proceed from a mixture of love and hatred with other affections, no one better deserves our attention, than that love, which arises betwixt the sexes, as well on account of its force and violence, as those curious principles of philosophy, for which it affords us an uncontestable argument.

Among all the complex emotions that come from combining love and hate with other feelings, the love between the sexes is the most worthy of study, both because of its intensity and because it provides clear evidence for philosophical principles.

_Hume introduces the topic, emphasizing its importance for his theory._

> It is plain, that this affection, in its most natural state, is derived from the conjunction of three different impressions or passions, viz. The pleasing sensation arising from beauty; the bodily appetite for generation; and a generous kindness or goodwill.

In its natural form, this love comes from the combination of three distinct impressions: the pleasure of beauty, the physical desire for sex, and a genuine kindness or goodwill.

_Hume identifies the three components of the amorous passion._

> From these two relations, viz. resemblance and a parallel desire, there arises such a connection betwixt the sense of beauty, the bodily appetite, and benevolence, that they become in a manner inseparable.

Because of the relations of resemblance and parallel desire, the sense of beauty, the bodily appetite, and benevolence become so connected that they are almost inseparable.

_Hume explains how the three components are linked._

> This then is a sensible proof of the double relation of impressions and ideas.

This is clear evidence that both impressions and ideas must be related for passions to arise.

_Hume uses the amorous passion as proof of his double relation principle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters/section-xi-of-the-amorous-passion-or-love-betwixt-the-sexes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters