Hume's Naturalism

Professor Mounce is to be congratulated on his clarity of expression and the precision of his thought in this outstanding book on Hume's philosophy. We are in his debt. There are many books on Hume's thought, some better than others. If I were to limit my reading to five secondary works or so, this would be the first one I would suggest that needs to be read and reread. Highly recommended for someone who wants to try to understand David Hume's thought. I particularly like Mounce's reasoning on naturalism as a way into understanding Hume's Dialogues on Natural Religion. It was the most balanced I've read so far, and the most penetrating. Mounce's thesis is an expansion of Kemp Smith's argument in his book the Philosophy of David Hume. We believe and act as we do, even though it does not seem reasonable to do so, simply because that is the way we are. I wonder if I'm the only one who sees the design implications in this? Are we the way we are because we were "created" this way? Mounce's book does not answer these religious questions, which may or may not be appropriate, but makes a very compelling case for his thesis regarding "Hume's Naturalism". Admirably Clear And Coherent, Hume's Naturalism Is The Ideal Starting Point For Any Student Coming To Hume's Work For The First Time. Analysing Hume's Most Famous Works, A Treatise Of Human Nature And Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion In Close Detail, This Book Will Make It Possible For General Readers To Grasp The Broader Picture Of Hume's Work So That When They Return To The Textual Details, They Have A Better Sense Of Their Significance. 1. Introduction: The Scholarly Background -- 2. Aims And Methods In The Treatise -- 3. Empiricist Assumptions -- 4. Causation -- 5. Scepticism -- 6. The Passions -- 7. Reason And Morality -- 8. Reason And Theology -- 9. Conclusion. H.o. Mounce. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Hume's Naturalism provides a clear and concise guide to the debates over whether Hume's empiricism or his 'naturalism' in the tradition of the Scottish 'Common Sense' school of philosophy gained his upper hand. This debate is central to any understanding of Hume's thought. H.O. Mounce presents a beautifully clear guide to Hume's most important works, The Treatise on Human Nature and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. Accessible to anyone coming to Hume for the first time, Hume's Naturalism affords a much needed overview of the key concepts of empiricism, causation, scepticism, reason and morality that are essential to any understanding of Hume's philosophy.

Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 10 Introduction: the scholarly background......Page 12 Aims and methods in the Treatise......Page 26 Empiricist assumptions......Page 35 Causation......Page 43 Scepticism......Page 60 The passions......Page 73 Reason and morality......Page 88 Reason and theology......Page 110 Conclusion......Page 142 Notes......Page 144 Bibliography......Page 151 Index......Page 154 Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 Preface 10 Introduction: the scholarly background 12 Aims and methods in the Treatise 26 Empiricist assumptions 35 Causation 43 Scepticism 60 The passions 73 Reason and morality 88 Reason and theology 110 Conclusion 142 Notes 144 Bibliography 151 Index 154 Written specifically for the beginner this book provides an overall perspective of Hume's work, dealing specifically with Hume's masterpieces, The Treatise on Human Nature and The Dialogues on Natural Religion