Book Cover of A Treatise Of Human Nature, Volume 2

A Treatise Of Human Nature, Volume 2

by David Hume

The Treatise is a classic statement of philosophical empiricism, scepticism, and naturalism. In the introduction Hume presents the idea of placing all science and philosophy on a novel foundation: namely, an empirical investigation into human nature. Impressed by Isaac Newton's achievements in the physical sciences, Hume sought to introduce the same experimental method of reasoning into the study of human psychology, with the aim of discovering the "extent and force of human understanding". Against the philosophical rationalists, Hume argues that the passions, rather than reason, cause human behaviour. He introduces the famous problem of induction, arguing that inductive reasoning and our beliefs regarding cause and effect cannot be justified by reason; instead, our faith in induction and causation is caused by mental habit and custom. Hume defends a sentimentalist account of morality, arguing that ethics is based on sentiment and the passions rather than reason, and famously declaring that "reason is, and ought only to be the slave to the passions". Hume also offers a sceptical theory of personal identity and a compatibilist account of free will.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

Scottish

Published In

1739

Authors

David Hume image

David Hume

Scotland

David Hume was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian, economist, librarian and essayist, who is best known today for his highly influential system of philosophical empiricism, scepticism, an...

Books by David Hume

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Essays book 3 Cover image

Essays book 3 by Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

Michel de Montaigne's *Essays* is a collection of personal reflections on a wide range of topics, from the nature of friendship and the pursuit of kno...

When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer Cover image

When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer by Walt Whitman

“When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” is a short poem by Walt Whitman, originally published in the 1860 edition of *Leaves of Grass*. It reflects on t...

The City of God, Volume 1 Cover image

The City of God, Volume 1 by Saint Augustine of Hippo

On the city of God against the pagans, often called The City of God, is a book of Christian philosophy written in Latin by Augustine of Hippo in the e...

Favole di Jean de La Fontaine: Libro 04 Cover image

Favole di Jean de La Fontaine: Libro 04 by Jean de La Fontaine

Nei 12 volumi delle "Favole" (1669 - 1693) Jean de La Fontaine rinnovò la tradizione esopica, rappresentando la commedia umana. Quest'opera dimostrò i...

The Philosophy of Immanuel Kant Cover image

The Philosophy of Immanuel Kant by Alexander Dunlop Lindsay

This brief commentary on Kant's philosophy is a work that focuses solely on some of the main ideas Kant put forth in the three Critiques. Although not...

Aesop's Fables, Volume 05 (Fables 101-125) Cover image

Aesop's Fables, Volume 05 (Fables 101-125) by Aesop

Dating back to the 6th century BC, Aesop's Fables tell universal truths through the use of simple allegories that are easily understood. Though almost...

Human Nature and Conduct - Part 2, The Place of Impulse In Conduct Cover image

Human Nature and Conduct - Part 2, The Place of Impulse In Conduct by John Dewey

John Dewey's 'Human Nature and Conduct' delves into the complexities of human behavior, emphasizing the interplay between innate impulses and ingraine...

Ingersoll on ERNEST RENAN from the Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Volume 11, Lecture 12 Cover image

Ingersoll on ERNEST RENAN from the Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Volume 11, Lecture 12 by Robert G. Ingersoll

This book is a collection of lectures by Robert G. Ingersoll on famous people, including Ernest Renan. Ingersoll was one of the most famous orators of...

Eudemian Ethics  Cover image

Eudemian Ethics by Aristotle

The Eudemian Ethics is a work of philosophy by Aristotle. Its primary focus is on ethics, making it one of the primary sources available for study of...

An Introduction to Yoga Cover image

An Introduction to Yoga by Annie Besant

It provides an accessible introduction to the philosophy and practice of yoga, with a focus on the teachings of the Indian sage, Patanjali. Besant exp...

Reviews for A Treatise Of Human Nature, Volume 2

No reviews posted or approved, yet...