David Hume (1711-1776), Scottish philosopher and historian and, with AdamSmith? and Thomas Reid among others, one of the most important figures in the ScottishEnlightenment?. Hume is regarded as the third and most radical of the so-called BritishEmpiricists?, after JohnLocke? and GeorgeBerkeley? (though the latter was Irish). He is most famous for promoting a thoroughgoing Scepticism --less well-known, however, but just as important, was his promotion of Naturalism. |
David Hume (1711-1776), Scottish philosopher and historian and, with Adam Smith and Thomas Reid among others, one of the most important figures in the [Scottish Enlightenment]?. Hume is regarded as the third and most radical of the so-called [British Empiricists]?, after John Locke and George Berkeley (though the latter was Irish). He is most famous for promoting a thoroughgoing Scepticism -- less well-known, however, but just as important, was his promotion of Naturalism. |
Hume was born in Edinburgh and attended the university there. At first he considered a career in law, but came to have, in his words, "an insurmountable aversion to everthing but the pursuits of philosophy and general learning." |
Hume was born in Edinburgh and attended the university there. At first he considered a career in law, but came to have, in his words, "an insurmountable aversion to everthing but the pursuits of philosophy and general learning." |
He did some self-study in France, where he also completed ATreatiseofHumanNature at the age of 26. When published in England (1739-40) it received next to no attention. Hume famously wrote that it "fell dead-born from the press." |
He did some self-study in France, where he also completed A Treatise of Human Nature at the age of 26. When published in England (1739-40) it received next to no attention. Hume famously wrote that it "fell dead-born from the press." |
After a few years of service to various political and military figures, Hume returned to his studies. After deciding that the problem with the Treatise was style not content, he reworked some of the material for more popular consumption in AnEnquiryConcerningHumanUnderstanding. It was not extremely successful either, but more so than the Treatise. |
After a few years of service to various political and military figures, Hume returned to his studies. After deciding that the problem with the Treatise was style not content, he reworked some of the material for more popular consumption in An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. It was not extremely successful either, but more so than the Treatise. |
He was turned down for chairs of philosophy in Edinburgh and Glasgow, probably due to charges of atheism. |
He was turned down for chairs of philosophy in Edinburgh and Glasgow, probably due to charges of atheism. |
However, between philosophical pursuits, Hume did achieve literary fame as an essayist and historian. Attention to his works grew after ImmanuelKant? credited Hume with awakening him from "dogmatic slumber." |
However, between philosophical pursuits, Hume did achieve literary fame as an essayist and historian. Attention to his works grew after Immanuel Kant credited Hume with awakening him from "dogmatic slumber". |
Book 1: "Of the Understanding" His treatment of everything from the origin of our ideas to how they are to be divided. Important statements of SkepticIsm?. |
Book 1: "Of the Understanding" His treatment of everything from the origin of our ideas to how they are to be divided. Important statements of Skepticism. |
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748) |
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748) |
Discussions between fictional characters Cleanthes, Philo, and Demea. They discuss proofs of the existance of god and other fun stuff. |
Discussions between fictional characters Cleanthes, Philo, and Demea. They discuss proofs of the existence of God and other fun stuff. |