David Hume

Early Life

David Hume was born on April 26, 1711, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the second son of Joseph Hume, a modestly prosperous Scottish landowner, and his wife Catherine. Hume's father died when he was an infant, leaving his upbringing to his mother, who instilled in him a love of learning.

Education

Hume attended the University of Edinburgh at the unusually young age of twelve, or possibly even younger. Though university records do not survive from this period, it is believed that Hume studied there for three years. He did not graduate, however, as he felt the professors were not competent to teach philosophy and literature, his primary interests.

Career

In 1734, Hume moved to France, where he began writing his first philosophical work, A Treatise of Human Nature. The work, completed in 1738, was not well received, but Hume was undeterred. He continued to write, producing An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding in 1748, and An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals in 1751. These works, along with his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, published posthumously in 1779, form the foundation of Hume's philosophical legacy.

Philosophical Views

Hume is primarily known for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He argued that all knowledge derives from experience, and that the mind is merely a collection of perceptions. This view, known as empiricism, was a radical departure from the rationalist philosophy of his contemporaries.

Hume's skepticism extended to religion. He was critical of the teleological argument for God's existence, arguing that the complexity of the universe does not necessarily imply a designer. He also questioned the problem of induction, the idea that future events can be predicted based on past experience.

Later Life and Death

In his later years, Hume returned to Edinburgh, where he was well received by society and spent his time revising his works for new editions. He died on August 25, 1776. His death was widely mourned, and his philosophical works continue to be widely studied and debated.

Legacy

Hume's influence on philosophy is profound. His ideas have shaped modern philosophy, particularly in the areas of empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism. His works continue to be studied in philosophy departments around the world, and his ideas have influenced a wide range of thinkers, from Immanuel Kant to Bertrand Russell.