A Treatise of Human Nature
David Hume's Treatise of Human Nature is a classic work of philosophy that examines the nature of human understanding and experience. Hume argues that all knowledge is based on experience, and that all ideas are derived from impressions. He further argues that reason is limited in its ability to discover truth, and that the passions are the primary source of human motivation. Hume also examines the nature of morality, and argues that moral judgments are based on sentiment rather than reason. The Treatise is an important work in the history of philosophy, and has had a lasting influence on modern thought.
By David Hume · First published 1739 · Genre: Philosophy, Non-Fiction, Psychology · 60 chapters · 219,878 words
First lines
Whatever has the air of a paradox, and is contrary to the first and most unprejudiced notions of mankind, is often greedily embraced by philosophers, as shewing the superiority of their science, which could discover opinions so remote from vulgar conception. On the other hand, anything proposed to us, which causes surprize and admiration, gives such a satisfaction to the mind, that it indulges itself in those agreeable emotions, and will never be persuaded that its pleasure is entirely without foundation. From these dispositions in philosophers and their disciples arises that mutual complaisance betwixt them; while the former furnish such plenty of strange and unaccountable opinions, and the latter so readily believe them. Of this mutual complaisance I cannot give a more evident instance than in the doctrine of infinite divisibility, with the examination of which I shall begin this subject of the ideas of space and time.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: David Hume
- Date: 1739 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophy, Non-Fiction, Psychology, History
- Length: 219,878 words
- Structure: 90 chapters, 1,695 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Philosophy — The book is a philosophical treatise written by the Scottish philosopher David Hume, which examines the nature of human understanding and behavior.
- Non-Fiction — The book is a non-fiction work that examines the nature of human understanding and behavior.
- Psychology — The book examines the nature of human understanding and behavior, which is a topic within the field of psychology.
- History — The book is a philosophical treatise written by the Scottish philosopher David Hume, which is a part of the history of philosophy.
Tags
Knowledge · Philosophy · Theory of · betwixt · contrary · derived · empiricism · evident · existence · experience · force · form
Contents
- Of the Infinite Divisibility of Our Ideas of Space and Time
- Of Liberty and Necessity
- Of Scepticism With Regard to Reason
- Justice, Whether a Natural or Artificial Virtue?
- Division of the Subject
- Of the Origin of Our Ideas
- Of the Origin of the Natural Virtues and Vices
- Moral Distinctions Not Derived from Reason
- Of the Object and Causes of Love and Hatred
- Of Knowledge
- The Same Subject Continued
- Of Pride and Humility, Their Objects and Causes
- Division of the Subject
- Experiments to Confirm This System
- Of the Origin of Justice and Property
- Of the Infinite Divisibility of Space and Time
- Moral Distinctions Derived from a Moral Sense
- Of Scepticism With Regard to the Senses
- Of Greatness of Mind
- Of Probability, and of the Idea of Cause and Effect
- Whence These Objects and Causes Are Derived
- Of the Other Qualities of Our Idea of Space and Time
- Of the Rules Which Determine Property
- Of the Influencing Motives of the Will
- Why a Cause is Always Necessary
- Difficulties Solved
- Of Goodness and Benevolence
- Of the Antient Philosophy
- Of the Ideas of the Memory and Imagination
- Of the Transference of Property by Consent
- Of the Love of Relations
- Of the Connexion or Association of Ideas
- Of the Causes of the Violent Passions
- Of the Modern Philosophy
- Of the Relations of Impressions and Ideas
- Objections Answered
- Of the Component Parts of Our Reasonings Concerning Cause and Effect
- Of Natural Abilities
- Of Relations
- Of the Impressions of the Senses and Memory
- Of the Effects of Custom
- Of the Influence of These Relations on Pride and Humility
- Some Farther Reflections Concerning the Natural Virtues
- The Same Subject Continued
- Of the Immateriality of the Soul
- Of Our Esteem for the Rich and Powerful
- Of the Obligation of Promises
- Conclusion of This Book
- Limitations of This System
- Of Modes and Substances
- Of the Inference from the Impression to the Idea
- Of the Idea of Existence, and of External Existence
- Of Benevolence and Anger
- Of Personal Identity
- Of the Influence of the Imagination on the Passions
- Some Farther Reflections Concerning Justice and Injustice
- Conclusion of This Book
- Of Compassion
- Of the Origin of Government
- Of Abstract Ideas