Major Works and ideas
"A treatise of human nature"
“A Treatise of Human Nature” is one of his most influential works published in 1737, when Hume was 26 years old. This book is based on the statement of philosophical empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism. In this prominent work, Hume considered that philosophy was the experimental and inductive science of human nature. He used the scientific method of Sir Isaac Newton as a model, as well as John Locke’s epistemology to describe how the mind uses knowledge to function. Hume concluded that any theory of reality is possible, because the only knowledge humanity has is that of experience. “A Treatise of Human Nature” is divided in three sections. The first section is “Of the Understanding” which discusses the ideas of knowledge and probability, space and time, the nature of causality, the skeptical implications of these theories. The second section is “Of the Passions”, which is based on the emotions that categorize humans and explain the psychological mechanisms by which passions arise in the human mind. In his most important discussions based on passion, Hume explains how human actions must be evoked by passion, and not by reason. Hume argued that without emotions we wouldn’t be involved in any action.
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"history of Great Britain"
“History of Great Britain”, one of Hume’s masterpieces which was published in 1745, traced historical events from the Saxon kingdoms to the Glorious Revolution. Due to the access Hume had to a large library, which enabled him to continue his historical studies, he was able to write this book, which allowed him to achieve a literary fame.
"Dialogues concerning natural religion"
“Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion”, published in 1779, is a book written by David Hume, in which he explains his religious point of view and debates multiple arguments about the existence of God, and how we may come to know the nature of God.
"philosophy of religion"
Hume’s position on religious belief is skeptical, like many of his philosophical views. In the “Philosophy of Religion”, Hume argued that religions founded on miracle testimonies should be rejected. In fact, he offered criticisms of theistic proofs based on God’s existence. Hume was able to advance his theories on the origin of religious beliefs, categorizing these notions in human psychology rather than in rational argument or divine revelation.
"Essays moral and political"
Hume’s political philosophy isn’t very clear, since his works contain elements of both Britain’s two political parties (the Whigs and the Tories). In his work “Essays Moral and Political”, published in 1742, Hume’s intent was to demonstrate the importance of the rule of law. He thought that republics were more efficient than monarchies, because in his opinion, they would administer laws more fairly. His most important point on politics was that society should be governed by a neutral system of laws.