David Hume Books

This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library’s preservation reformatting program.

The treatise explores the autonomy of human passions and moral nature, arguing against reason's influence. In the second volume, Hume transitions from skepticism to a more structured moral theory aligned with the sentimentalist school of the eighteenth century. Key topics include the nature of pride, humility, love, hatred, and the distinctions between virtue and vice, justice and injustice. This work delves into the complexities of human emotions and ethical considerations, offering a comprehensive view of Hume's moral philosophy.

Volume I surveys pre-Roman Britain, the Anglo-Saxons, the Norman Conquest, and the kings of England from William I through John, and ends with a comparison of the feudal and the Anglo-Norman systems of government in England.

This edition contains the thirty-nine essays included in Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary that made up Volume I of the 1777 posthumous Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects. It also includes ten essays that were withdrawn or left unpublished by Hume for various reasons. Eugene F. Miller was Professor of Political Science at the University of Georgia from 1967 until his retirement in 2003. Please note: This title is available as an ebook for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes.

“No man ever threw away life while it was worth keeping.” —David Hume The essay, Of Suicide , was originally planned for publication in a 1755 collection called Five Dissertations . However, philosopher David Hume decided to withdraw this and another essay ( Of the Immortality of the Soul ). Both these essays were published anonymously and posthumously in 1777. The current edition follows the 1755 version. In this essay, Hume examines suicide by stating that the gods granted the powers to humans to live and therefore end their own lives. In addition, he argues that committing suicide does not harm society. As often, Hume sides with the individual’s autonomy to live one’s life.

Reprinted from the posthumous edition of 1777 and edited with introduction, comparative tables of contents, and analytical index by L. A. Selby-Bigge. Third edition with text revised and notes by P. H. Nidditch.

In his writings, David Hume set out to bridge the gap between the learned world of the academy and the marketplace of polite society. This collection, drawing largely on his Essays Moral, Political, and Literary (1776 edition), which was even more popular than his famous Treatise of Human Nature, comprehensively shows how far he succeeded. From `Of Essay Writing' to `Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences' Hume embraces a staggering range of social, cultural, political, demographic, and historical concerns. With the scope typical of the Scottish Enlightenment, he charts the state of civil society, manners, morals, and taste, and the development of political economy in the mid-eighteenth century. These essays represent not only those areas where Hume's arguments are revealingly typical of his day, but also where he is strikingly innovative in a period already famous for its great thinkers. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

The collection features four seminal works by David Hume, exploring fundamental philosophical themes. "A Treatise of Human Nature" examines human psychology and behavior, while "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" delves into the nature of knowledge and perception. "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals" discusses ethical principles and moral philosophy, and "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" engages in a debate about the existence and nature of God. Together, these texts provide a comprehensive insight into Hume's influential ideas.

Scottish philosopher Davie Hume's biting criticism of religion and non-empirical methods of pursuing knowledge have resonated over the centuries, manifesting even to this day in the "New Atheist" movement. In this, his 'second enquiry' in which he concerned himself with morals, he sought out to place morality on entirely empirical grounds. Hume considered this one of his best works. While many find Hume's arguments compelling, that they are still raised today suggests that others remain unconvinced. Indeed, morality--its source, whether it is objective or subjective, etc.--is a matter of fierce debate to this day. Hume aimed to settle the issue once and for all. Though he did not succeed in doing that, he did succeed in making an important and early contribution to the subject.