Hume's 'A Treatise of Human Nature': An IntroductionDavid Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature (1739–40) presents the most important account of skepticism in the history of modern philosophy. In this lucid and thorough introduction to the work, John P. Wright examines the development of Hume's ideas in the Treatise, their relation to eighteenth-century theories of the imagination and passions, and the reception they received when Hume published the Treatise. He explains Hume's arguments concerning the inability of reason to establish the basic beliefs which underlie science and morals, as well as his arguments showing why we are nevertheless psychologically compelled to accept such beliefs. The book will be a valuable guide for those seeking to understand the nature of modern skepticism and its connection with the founding of the human sciences during the Enlightenment. |
Contents
11 | |
First principles | 40 |
Causation | 79 |
Skepticism | 129 |
Determinism | 183 |
Passions sympathy and other minds | 190 |
reason and calm passions | 216 |
Moral sense reason and moral skepticism | 235 |
The foundations of morals | 258 |
Bibliography and further reading | 289 |
Index | 304 |
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Common terms and phrases
according to Hume actions Annette Baier appear argument arise artificial virtues ascribe association of ideas belief Bernard Mandeville calm passions causal cause and effect Chapter character Cheyne Clarendon Press connexion contiguity David Hume define definitions Descartes desire discover discussion distinct Don Garrett ECHU edited Enquiry Concerning Essay experience explain external objects fact feel fiction find first Enquiry Francis Hutcheson Henry Home human nature Hume argues Hume calls Hume stresses Hume thinks Hume writes Hume’s account Hume’s claim Hume’s view identified identity imagination impressions indirect realism inference influence James Birch John Locke kind liberty Locke London Malebranche Mandeville mind moral judgments moral sense motives necessary connection necessity Norman Kemp Smith observation ofjustice ofthe one’s original Oxford pain perceptions person pleasure principle qualities Ramsay reason reflection relations Religion resembling scientific Scottish Enlightenment Section sion skepticism suflicient sympathy Theatise thing thought tion Tiseatise Treatise wrote