The Riddle of Hume's Treatise: Skepticism, Naturalism, and IrreligionAlthough it is widely recognized that David Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature (1729-40) belongs among the greatest works of philosophy, there is little aggreement about the correct way to interpret his fundamental intentions. The solution to this riddle depends on challenging another, closely related, point of orthodoxy: namely, that before Hume published the Treatise he removed almost all material concerned with problems of religion. Russell argues, contrary to this view, that irreligious aims and objectives are fundamental to the Treatise and account for its underlying unity and coherence. It is Hume's basic anti-Christian aims and objectives that serve to shape and direct both his skeptical and naturalistic commitments. When Hume's arguments are viewed from this perspective we can solve, not only puzzles arising from his discussion of various specific issues, we can also explain the intimate and intricate connections that hold his entire project together. This "irreligious" interpretation provides a comprehensive fresh account of the nature of Hume's fundamental aims and ambitions in the Treatise. It also presents a radically different picture of the way in which Hume's project was rooted in the debates and controversies of his own time, placing the Treatise in an irreligious or anti-Christian philosophical tradition that includes Hobbes, Spinoza and freethinking followers. Considered in these terms, Hume's Treatise constitutes the crowning achievement of the Radical Enlightenment. |
From inside the book
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Page 14
... substance.13 It is not surprising, therefore, that Hume's attitude to Beattie's Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth (1770) was less than favorable.14 Beattie made clear that he disapproved of Reid's more measured way of ...
... substance.13 It is not surprising, therefore, that Hume's attitude to Beattie's Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth (1770) was less than favorable.14 Beattie made clear that he disapproved of Reid's more measured way of ...
Page 16
... Substances! Shall all thy strong, thy clear, and unanswerable Arguments, as so many of the best Judges have esteemed them, be now levelled with the Dust, and trampled on with Abhorrence! This is indeed a lamentable Case; but such is the ...
... Substances! Shall all thy strong, thy clear, and unanswerable Arguments, as so many of the best Judges have esteemed them, be now levelled with the Dust, and trampled on with Abhorrence! This is indeed a lamentable Case; but such is the ...
Page 17
... substance of the charges made corresponds closely to the basic duties of “the professor of pneumatology and ethical philosophy,” and this may explain, in part, their general scope and nature. However, the charges are plainly weighted ...
... substance of the charges made corresponds closely to the basic duties of “the professor of pneumatology and ethical philosophy,” and this may explain, in part, their general scope and nature. However, the charges are plainly weighted ...
Page 22
... substance and style of the Specimen is not particularly consistent with what we know about Wishart's philosophical orientation, it is strikingly close to Baxter's principal concerns and doctrines. Other points should also be briefly ...
... substance and style of the Specimen is not particularly consistent with what we know about Wishart's philosophical orientation, it is strikingly close to Baxter's principal concerns and doctrines. Other points should also be briefly ...
Page 27
... substance and aims. Cudworth's book supplied later polemicists such as Bentley and Clarke with most of their arguments, and has been described as the “high-water mark” of the battle against Hobbist atheism.12 However, as Robertson notes ...
... substance and aims. Cudworth's book supplied later polemicists such as Bentley and Clarke with most of their arguments, and has been described as the “high-water mark” of the battle against Hobbist atheism.12 However, as Robertson notes ...
Contents
1 | |
II THE FORM AND FACE OF HUMES SYSTEM | 59 |
III THE NATURE OF HUMES UNIVERSE | 81 |
IV THE ELEMENTS OF VIRTUOUS ATHEISM | 223 |
V HUMES PHILOSOPHY OF IRRELIGION | 265 |
Catos Speech at the Oracle of Ammon | 301 |
Notes | 304 |
Bibliography | 390 |
Index | 409 |
Other editions - View all
The Riddle of Hume's Treatise: Skepticism, Naturalism, and Irreligion Paul Russell Limited preview - 2008 |
The Riddle of Hume's Treatise: Skepticism, Naturalism, and Irreligion Paul Russell Limited preview - 2010 |
The Riddle of Hume's Treatise: Skepticism, Naturalism, and Irreligion Paul Russell Limited preview - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
Analogy argues argument a priori atheism attributes Baxter Bayle Bayle’s belief Berkeley Berkeley’s Boyle Lectures Butler causal cause chap chapter Christian claims Clarke Clarke’s Collins commitments concerning contemporaries context cosmological argument criticism Cudworth David Hume debate defenders deism deist Demonstration deny Descartes Dialogues discredit distinct doctrine Dudgeon Enquiry Essay evidence existence Fogelin follows freethinkers fundamental God’s Hobbes Hobbes’s Hobbist Human Nature Human Soul human understanding Hume’s account Hume’s discussion Hume’s intentions Hume’s philosophy Hume’s project Hume’s remarks Hume’s skeptical Hume’s Treatise Hume’s views Hutcheson idea immaterial important infinite infinite divisibility irreligion irreligious interpretation issue Kames Kemp Smith Leibniz Leviathan liberty Locke Locke’s Malebranche material world matter metaphysical mind Mossner natural religion necessitarianism necessity Newton Newtonian noted observations presented principles Pyrrhonism reason relation relevant religious Samuel Clarke says Scottish sense Shaftesbury significance skeptical arguments space specific Spinoza substance suggests theological things thinkers tion Toland Wishart