A Treatise of Human Nature

About the Author

David Hume

David Hume (1711-1776) was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist who became one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment. Born in Edinburgh to a modest but well-connected family, Hume received his education at the University of Edinburgh beginning at the remarkably young age of twelve, though he never completed a formal degree. His early philosophical investigations led to his masterpiece, 'A Treatise of Human Nature' (1739-40), written while he was in his twenties. Despite his hope that it would bring him immediate fame, the work was, in his own words, 'dead-born from the press.' Undeterred, Hume recast his ideas in more accessible forms through his 'Essays, Moral and Political' (1741-42) and 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding' (1748). Beyond philosophy, Hume achieved considerable success with his six-volume 'History of England' (1754-62), which became a bestseller and secured his financial independence. As a philosopher, Hume is best known for his thoroughgoing empiricism, skepticism about metaphysical claims, and naturalistic approach to human understanding. His analysis of causality challenged traditional notions of knowledge, while his work on morality emphasized the role of sentiment rather than reason in ethical judgments. Though often characterized as an atheist by his contemporaries, Hume more precisely questioned the rational foundations of religion while generally avoiding direct confrontation with religious authorities. Despite suffering several professional setbacks, including failed applications for academic positions at Edinburgh and Glasgow, Hume enjoyed a distinguished career as a librarian, government official, and diplomat. He was known for his amiable character and conversational wit, which made him a beloved figure in the intellectual circles of Edinburgh and Paris. When faced with his own mortality, Hume approached death with remarkable equanimity, further cementing his reputation for philosophical composure. He died in Edinburgh in 1776, leaving a philosophical legacy that would profoundly influence thinkers from Kant to the logical positivists and beyond.