“Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them.”
An Treatise Of Human Nature is a foundational work in philosophy. Hume is a central figure in the Enlightenment period and is known for his superb and accessible writing (for a philosopher). Hume's radical skepticism challenges traditional rationalist views, arguing that knowledge stems from sensory experience and the mind’s impressions, rather than from innate ideas or reason alone. Hume has had an enduring impact on the study of perception, epistemology, psychology, ethics, and remains relevant to this day.
We will focus on the following sections:
- Book 1, Part 3: Of Knowledge and Probability (cause and effect)
- Book 1, Part 4: Of the Skeptical and Other Systems of Philosophy (skepticism)
- Book 2, Part 1: Of Pride and Humility (reason is subordinate to the passions)
- Book 3, Part 1: Of Virtue and Vice in General (morals are based on sentiment, not facts or reason)
If you read these sections only, you will understand several of Hume's core ideas and be prepared for our discussion. However, feel free to read the whole book.
Bring anything that will make you feel comfortable (sweater, water, coffee, etc.)
We will be at the Central Library in room 3-10B.
