The Complete Works of David Hume (eBook)

David Hume (1711–1776) stands among the most influential philosophers and historians of the 18th century, renowned for his radical empiricism and skepticism. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hume pursued his passion for philosophy and literature despite social expectations for a career in law. Over his lifetime, he authored several seminal works, contributing fundamentally to epistemology, ethics, and history. In 'A Treatise of Human Nature' (1739–40), which he deemed his magnum opus, Hume set forth his theories on the human mind's workings, attempting to construct a science of man. Although this work received scant recognition initially, his later essays and his 'Enquiries concerning Human Understanding' (1748) and 'concerning the Principles of Morals' (1751) solidified his philosophical standing. Hume's 'The History of England' (1754–62) garnered him fame as a historian. His lucid prose and skeptical inquiry into human nature and understanding imbue his writings with enduring relevance, thus ensuring his place in intellectual history. Hume's entire oeuvre, encapsulated in 'The Complete Works of David Hume', remains quintessential reading for those seeking a profound grasp of empirical thought and the Enlightenment's intellectual currents.