David Hume
David Hume, portrait by Allan Ramsay, c. 1766
David Hume (1711–1776) was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian, and essayist, renowned for his influential works on empiricism, skepticism, and human nature. Best known for A Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40) and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748), Hume reshaped modern philosophy with his focus on experience, perception, and causality.
Born in Edinburgh, Hume challenged traditional philosophical assumptions about knowledge, causation, and religious belief. His empirical approach argued that all knowledge derives from sensory experience, fundamentally questioning how we understand reality. This Scottish philosopher's skeptical method influenced countless thinkers, from Immanuel Kant to contemporary philosophers.
Beyond philosophy, Hume authored the comprehensive History of England (1754-62), which became the standard historical work for decades. He maintained close friendships with leading Enlightenment figures, particularly economist Adam Smith, with whom he shared intellectual pursuits and philosophical discussions in Edinburgh's vibrant intellectual circles.
Hume's works on human understanding, moral philosophy, and natural religion continue to shape academic discourse today. His essays on economics, politics, and aesthetics demonstrate the breadth of his intellectual contributions to Scottish Enlightenment thought. For scholars of empiricism, skepticism, and 18th-century philosophy, David Hume's biography remains essential reading, offering insights into one of history's most influential philosophical minds.
