David Hume
Biography of David Hume
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: David Hume
Common Aliases: None
Birth and Death Dates
Born: May 7, 1711
Died: August 25, 1776
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Scottish
Profession(s): Philosopher, Historian, Economist, Essayist
Early Life and Background
David Hume was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, into a family of modest means but notable lineage. His father, Joseph Home, was a lawyer, and his mother, Katherine Falconer, came from a family with judicial connections. Hume's early education took place at home, where he was tutored by his mother after his father's death when Hume was just two years old. At the age of twelve, he entered the University of Edinburgh, where he developed a keen interest in philosophy and the classics. Despite his family's expectations for him to pursue a career in law, Hume was drawn to the intellectual pursuits of philosophy and literature.
Major Accomplishments
David Hume is best known for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was a central figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, a period marked by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments in Scotland. Hume's major accomplishments include his development of a naturalistic science of man, which sought to understand human nature through empirical observation and reasoning. His work laid the groundwork for later philosophical movements, including utilitarianism and logical positivism.
Notable Works or Actions
Hume's most significant philosophical works include "A Treatise of Human Nature," published in three volumes between 1739 and 1740. Although initially met with little success, the "Treatise" is now considered one of the most important works in Western philosophy. In it, Hume explores the psychological basis of human nature, arguing that human knowledge arises only from sensory experiences.
In addition to the "Treatise," Hume published "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" in 1748, which refined many of the ideas presented in his earlier work. This book is particularly noted for its discussion of the problem of induction and the nature of causation. Hume also wrote "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals" in 1751, which he considered his best work, focusing on the role of sentiment in moral judgments.
Beyond philosophy, Hume was a respected historian. His six-volume "The History of England," published between 1754 and 1762, was a best-seller and remained the standard work on English history for many years. Hume's essays, such as those in "Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary," also contributed significantly to his reputation as a thinker and writer.
Impact and Legacy
David Hume's impact on philosophy and the broader intellectual landscape is profound. His empiricism and skepticism challenged the rationalist traditions of his time, influencing later philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, who famously credited Hume with awakening him from his "dogmatic slumber." Hume's ideas about human understanding and the limits of reason have continued to resonate, shaping modern discussions in epistemology, ethics, and the philosophy of science.
Hume's historical writings also left a lasting legacy, as they helped to establish history as a serious academic discipline. His approach to history, which emphasized empirical evidence and critical analysis, set new standards for historical scholarship.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
David Hume is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive insights into human nature and his rigorous approach to philosophical inquiry. His exploration of the limits of human understanding and the nature of belief has made his work a touchstone for philosophers, historians, and scholars across disciplines. Hume's ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and wit has ensured that his writings remain accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences.
Hume's skepticism about religion and his arguments concerning the nature of miracles have also made him a central figure in debates about faith and reason. His famous assertion that "reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions" continues to provoke discussion about the role of emotion in human decision-making.
In summary, David Hume's contributions to philosophy, history, and literature have cemented his place as one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment. His work continues to inspire and challenge those who seek to understand the complexities of human nature and the world around us.
Quotes by David Hume
David Hume's insights on:
Absolute monarchy is the easiest death, the true Euthanasia of the British constitution.
Nothing appears more surprising to those who consider affairs with a philosophical eye, than the ease with which the many are governed by the few.
If suicide be supposed a crime, 'tis only cowardice can impel us to it. If it be no crime, both prudence and courage should engage us to rid ourselves at once of existence, when it becomes a burden.
It is only from the selfishness and confined generosity of men, along with the scanty provision nature has made for his wants, that justice derives its origin.
All beliefs about matters of fact or real existence are derived merely from something that is present to the memory or senses, and a customary association of that with some other thing.
Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty. One person may even perceive deformity, where another is sensible beauty; and every individual ought to acquiesce in his own sentiment, without pretending to regulate those of others. To seek the real beauty, or real deformity, is as fruitless an enquiry, as to pretend to ascertain the real sweet or real bitter.
If we see a house, CLEANTHES, we conclude, with the greatest certainty, that it had an architect or builder; because this is precisely that species of effect which we have experienced to proceed from that species of cause. But surely you will not affirm, that the universe bears such a resemblance to a house, that we can with the same certainty infer a similar cause, or that the analogy is here entire and perfect.