David Hume is widely acknowledged as the greatest philosopher to have written in the English language. His 1739/40 A Treatise of Human Nature is commonly regarded as his masterpiece. It is a profound work of great ambition, seeking to reorient philosophy by establishing a ‘science of human nature’.
Following the structure of the original work closely, The Routledge Guidebook to Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature provides a clear and accessible introduction to its key themes, and explores:
the lasting philosophical significance of the work the context of Hume’s philosophy the character of Hume’s theory of human nature the two central themes of scepticism and naturalism the unity of the three original volumes.
Written for readers approaching Hume’s seminal work for the first time, this guidebook includes a helpful overview of the text, chapter summaries and further reading throughout. It is an essential introduction for undergraduate students studying the history of modern philosophy, and all those who wish to engage more deeply with this classic work.
Preface and Acknowledgments Abbreviations and Citations to Primary Literature Introduction 1. Of Ideas, Their Origin, Composition, Connexion, Abstraction, Etc. 2. Of the Ideas of Space and Time 3. Of Knowledge and Probability 4. Of the Sceptical and Other Systems of Philosophy 5. Of Pride and Humility, Love and Hatred 6. Of the Will and Direct Passions 7. Of Virtue and Vice in General 8. Of Justice 9. Of the Other Virtues and Vices. Bibliography Index
P. J. E. Kail is Official Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at St Peter’s College, and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, UK. He is the author of, among other things, Projection and Realism in Hume’s Philosophy (2007), Berkeley’s A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Knowledge (2014), and Simply Nietzsche (2019).
Reviews for The Routledge Guidebook to Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature
""A welcome and very helpful guide to Hume's masterpiece, A Treatise of Human Nature. Students will find it both accessible and engaging, and even scholars of Hume's Treatise will profit from reading Kail’s book."" - Miren Boehm, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA ""A welcome and very helpful guide to Hume's masterpiece, A Treatise of Human Nature. Students will find it both accessible and engaging, and even scholars of Hume's Treatise will profit from reading Kail’s book."" - Miren Boehm, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA
