ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the extent to which Kant's views on marriage are in concert with and influenced by those of Hume. Scholars have long been interested in the influence of Rousseau on Kant's account of marriage, but scant attention has been given to the influence of Hume. Hume views the primary conflict of marriage as connected to the question of who ultimately holds decision-making authority. On Hume's account, women are offended at satires of marriage because they recognize themselves as sharing the larger portion of the blame for the unhappiness of marriage. If love and sex outside of marriage place men and women equally in a position to risk totalizing objectification and the accompanying possibility of financial ruin. Hume repeatedly insists upon the importance of biological family particularly when financial interests are at stake.
