David Hume's aim in writing An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748) was to introduce his philosophy to a European culture in which many educated people read original works of philosophy. He gives an elegant and accessible presentation of strikingly original and challenging views about the limited powers of human understanding, the attractions of scepticism, the compatibility of free will and determinism, and weaknesses in the foundations of religion. Huem's philosophy was highly controversial in the eighteenth century and remains so today.

The text printed in this edition is that of the Clarendon critical edition of Hume's works. A substantial introduction by the editor explains the intellectual background to the work and surveys its main themes. The volume also includes detailed explanatory notes on the text, a glossary of terms, a full list of references, and a section of supplementary readings.

This text introduces David Hume's philosophy to a European culture. It presents challenging views about the limited powers of human understanding, the attractions of scepticism, the compatibility of free will and determinism, and weaknesses in the foundations of religion.

The Oxford Philosophical Texts series consists of truly practical and accessible guides to major philosophical texts in the history of philosophy from the ancient world up to modern times. Each book opens with a comprehensive introduction by a leading specialist which covers the philosopher's life, work, and influence. Endnotes, a full bibliography, guides to further reading, and an index are also included. The series aims to build a definitive corpus of key texts in the Western philosophical tradition, forming a reliable and enduring resource for students and teachers alike.

Now one of the most widely read works in philosophy, David Hume's An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (1748) introduced his philosophy to a broad educated readership. In it he gives an elegant an accessible presentation of strikingly original and challenging views about the limited powers of human understanding, the attractions of skepticism, the compatibility of free will and determinism, and weaknesses in the foundations of religion. In this volume, an authoritative new version of the text is enhanced by detailed explanatory notes, a glossary of terms, a full list of references, and a section of supplementary readings.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [272]-279) and index.

Part 1: Introductory Material

How to Use this Book

List of Abbreviations

Editor's Introduction

1. Life and Early Publishing History

2. Cultural and Intellectual Background

3. Two General Features of Hume's Philosophy

4. Philosophy of Mind

5. Epistemology

6. Metaphysics

7. Philosophy of Religion

8. Scepticism

Supplementary Reading

The Text Printed in this Edition

Part 2: The Text

An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

1. Of the Different Species of Philosophy

2. Of the Origin of Ideas

3. Of the Association of Ideas

4. Sceptical Doubts concerning the Operations of the Understanding

5. Sceptical Solution of these Doubts

6. Of Probability

7. Of the Idea of Necessary Connexion

8. Of Liberty and Necessity

9. Of the Reason of Animals

10. Of Miracles

11. Of a Particular Providence and of a Future State

12. Of the Academical or Sceptical Philosophy

Part 3: Supplementary Material

Annotations to the Enquiry

Glossary

References

Index