The estate of Dr. Seuss pulled six books due to hurtful illustrations, leading to debates on cancel culture and historical context. David Hume’s thoughts on tolerating past customs highlight the ongoing philosophical challenge of evaluating art against contemporary values. He suggests that while some differences in customs should be tolerated, certain works may be deemed morally problematic. Examples from film signify that changing styles do not warrant a complete dismissal of historical works, emphasizing the need for understanding and context in cultural evaluation.
As Hume sees it, we can and should make allowances for some differences between current and past customs. The poet's monument more durable than brass, must fall to the ground like common brick or clay, were men to make no allowance for the continual revolutions of manners and customs.
Hume is right to note that elements of past art will be out of tune with our time and that some of these differences should be tolerated as being the natural and blameless result of shifting customs. Such works can and should still be enjoyed.
Collection
[
|
...
]