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David Hume

Scottish Enlightenment philosopher and essayist

David Hume was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher known for his empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism. He rejected innate ideas, argued for the role of custom in belief, and emphasized the influence of emotions over reason. Hume's ideas on induction, causality, ethics, free will, and religion had a significant impact on various fields and philosophers, including Immanuel Kant.

Related

Arthur Schopenhauer Immanuel Kant Adam Smith Ludwig Wittgenstein Thomas Paine Carl Sagan Voltaire Charles Darwin Michel de Montaigne Jean-Paul Sartre

Timeline

David Hume emphasizes the importance of basing systems on fact and observation

David Hume stresses the significance of rejecting systems that are not grounded in fact and observation, and instead, relying on arguments derived from experience. He believes that inquiries about human nature should be based on experience and observation rather than abstract science.

David Hume's critique of the inductive method

Scottish empiricist David Hume critiqued the inductive method by showing that an infinite number of confirming results are needed to prove a theory correct. This critique influenced Karl Popper's rejection of the inductive method in the philosophy of science.

Birth of David Hume

David Hume, the philosopher of the eighteenth century Scottish Enlightenment, was born on 26th April 1711 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was known for his influential works in philosophy.

Birth of David Hume

David Hume, the most influential thinker of the Scottish Enlightenment and one of the greatest philosophers of all time, was born in 1711 in Edinburgh to a moderately wealthy family from Berwickshire Scotland.

Death of David Hume's Father

David Hume's father passed away just after David's second birthday, leaving him, along with his elder brother and sister, under the care of their mother, who was described as a woman of exceptional merit.

David Hume Enrolls in the University of Edinburgh

David Hume enrolled in the University of Edinburgh, marking a significant step in his academic journey and intellectual development.

David Hume's Psychological Crisis

After three years of rigorous study and reflection, David Hume faced a psychological crisis due to the intensity of developing his philosophical vision. The crisis, although challenging, eventually passed, marking a significant phase in Hume's intellectual journey.

Publication of David Hume's 'A Treatise of Human Nature'

David Hume's work 'A Treatise of Human Nature' explores various philosophical concepts, including skepticism and empiricism. It is considered one of the most important works in the history of philosophy.

David Hume Publishes Book 3 of 'A Treatise of Human Nature'

On January 1, 1740, David Hume published the third volume of his work 'A Treatise of Human Nature'.

Publication of Essays Moral and Political

In 1741, David Hume published 'Essays Moral and Political,' which became highly successful and required a second edition. These essays later influenced the economic theories of his friend Adam Smith.

Acceptance of invitation from General St Clair

Hume accepted an invitation from General St Clair to serve as his secretary, accompanying him on expeditions against Canada and to embassy posts in Vienna and Turin.

Publication of David Hume's 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'

David Hume's work 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding' explores the formation of the self and the relationship between human nature and nature, challenging traditional views on knowledge and experience.

Publication of 'An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals' by David Hume

On January 1, 1751, David Hume published 'An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals', a significant work in moral philosophy.

Publication of 'Political Discourses'

In 1752, David Hume published 'Political Discourses', which he considered to be his first successful work upon publication. This event marked a significant milestone in his career as a philosopher and writer.

Publication of 'The History of England'

In 1754, David Hume began publishing volumes of his ambitious work 'The History of England', which brought him widespread acclaim and recognition on an international scale. This monumental undertaking solidified his reputation as a prominent historian and thinker.

Publication of Five Dissertations

In 1756, a volume of Hume's essays titled Five Dissertations was printed, containing essays that challenged religious doctrines such as the morality of suicide and the concept of life after death. Due to threats of prosecution, the essays were altered and distributed as Four Dissertations.

Publication of the first volume of History of England

In 1757, David Hume released the initial volume of his renowned work, History of England, a significant contribution to historiography and political philosophy.

Publication of 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'

In 1758, David Hume released 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding', a key work in empiricist philosophy exploring human understanding and knowledge.

Proclamation as the greatest writer in Britain by James Boswell

In 1762, James Boswell proclaimed Hume as the greatest writer in Britain. This recognition highlighted Hume's significant contributions to literature and philosophy during his time in Edinburgh.

Hume becomes private secretary to the British Ambassador to France

In 1763, David Hume accepted a position as a private secretary to the British Ambassador to France. During his three-year stay in Paris, he eventually became Secretary to the Embassy.

David Hume becomes Under Secretary of State for the Northern Department

In 1767, David Hume was recalled to London to serve as the Under Secretary of State for the Northern Department.

Return to Edinburgh and final years

In 1769, Hume returned to Edinburgh and spent the remainder of his life in the company of friends and his writings. This period marked the conclusion of his time away in Paris and London, allowing him to focus on his intellectual pursuits.

David Hume Publishes 'My Own Life'

On January 1, 1776, David Hume published 'My Own Life', a significant work reflecting on his personal experiences and philosophical journey.

Death of David Hume

David Hume, a prominent Scottish philosopher, historian, and economist, passed away in Edinburgh, Scotland at the age of 65 due to cancer.

Publication of Hume's Dialogues

Hume's friends convinced him to withhold the Dialogues from publication until after his death due to their controversial and inflammatory nature.

Gilbert Stuart's View on Hume's Historical Stance

In 1778, Gilbert Stuart described Hume's history as a defense of prerogative, highlighting Hume's perspective on royal prerogative throughout British history.

Dialogues concerning Natural Religion

Hume's greatest achievement in the philosophy of religion, this work is considered one of the most important and influential contributions to the field. It discusses topics such as the reliability of reports of miracles, the immateriality and immortality of the soul, the morality of suicide, and the natural history of religion.

Adam Smith's Description of David Hume

Adam Smith, the Scottish philosopher and close friend of David Hume, described Hume as a wise and virtuous man, almost perfect in his wisdom and virtue, even in the face of death.

Thought Experiment on Causal Judgments

Hume's thought experiment questions the familiarity and intuitiveness of ordinary causal judgments. By proposing a scenario where an individual with exceptional intellectual abilities is introduced to the world as an adult, armed with knowledge, Hume challenges the notion of immediate causal understanding.

Publication of The Letters of David Hume

The two-volume work 'The Letters of David Hume' was published in 1932, edited by J.Y.T. Grieg.

Publication of Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

This edition, edited by Norman Kemp Smith, is considered the definitive version of this work and includes a groundbreaking introductory essay.

Publication of Enquiries concerning Human Understanding and concerning the Principles of Morals

The book 'Enquiries concerning Human Understanding and concerning the Principles of Morals' was published in 1975, edited by L. A. Selby-Bigge and revised by P. H. Nidditch.

Publication of History of England

This edition by Liberty Classics is considered the definitive version of Hume's History.

Russell argues Hume modelled the structure of the Treatise on Hobbes's Elements of Law

In 1985, Russell argued that Hume structured his Treatise based on Hobbes's Elements of Law, highlighting the similarities between their works.

Publication of 'A Treatise of Human Nature' by David Hume

The book 'A Treatise of Human Nature' written by David Hume and Ernest C. Mossner was published in 1986 by Penguin Classics.

Hume and Hume’s Connexions

A book edited by M.A. Stewart and J.P. Wright in 1994, focusing on the connections and relationships in the philosophy of David Hume.

Publication of David Hume's Entry in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

The entry for David Hume was first published on February 26, 2001 in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Hume is considered a significant philosopher in the history of philosophy.

Publication of 'David Hume: A Treatise of Human Nature: Volume 1: Texts' by David Fate Norton & Mary J. Norton

The book 'David Hume: A Treatise of Human Nature: Volume 1: Texts' written by David Fate Norton & Mary J. Norton was published in 2011 by Clarendon Press.

Publication of 'The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship...' by Dennis C. Rasmussen

The book 'The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship...' written by Dennis C. Rasmussen was published in 2019 by Princeton University Press.

Publication of 'Hume: A Very Short Introduction' by James A. Harris

The book 'Hume: A Very Short Introduction' written by James A. Harris was published in 2021 by Oxford University Press.

Revision of David Hume's Entry in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

On November 1, 2023, the entry for David Hume underwent a substantive revision in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Hume is generally regarded as one of the most important philosophers.

End of the Timeline
David Hume

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