Hume's Reflection on Religion (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science)

This book presents a comprehensive interpretation of Hume's `serious reflection' on religion from the perspective afforded by his philosophical project and its Enlightened ends. I relate his account of the origin, development, and significant effects of religious beliefs to his own historical works, and conversely take the former as the leading thread into the disclosure of a Humean philosophy of history. I also critically analyze his views about the eminently irrational and feigned character of most religious faith and its inevitable negative effect on morality. Finally, I examine Hume's attack on the validity of the conclusions of rational theology. Reasonable support is provided for the claim that the belief in God, as an intelligent author of the universe, is a natural and reasonable belief. This work may interest both scholars and general readers who are intrigued or troubled by religion and the issues `of the utmost importance' which it raises.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 309-319) and index.

Preface. Introduction. Part I: Hume's Scrutiny of Religion: Its Theoretical Foundations, Historical Roots, and Ultimate Goals. 1. Hume's Philosophical Project and his Reflection on Religion. 2. Brief Historical Setting of Hume's Investigation of Religion. Part II: The Origin, Development and Historical Effects of Religious Beliefs. 3. The Nature of Hume's Investigation of Religion. 4. The Conception of the Phenomenon to be Investigated. 5. The Origin of Religion: Critical Exposition of Hume's Theory. 6. Religion and History. 7. Belief and Faith. 8. The Ethical Depreciation of Religion. Part III: Hume's Natural Theology: The Critique of the Presumed Validity of Religious Beliefs. 9. From Historical Religion to Natural Religion. 10. The Impassable Path of A Priori Reasoning: Analysis of Hume's Critique of the Ontological Argument and Its Foundations. 11. The Rejection of Miracles: An Attempt to Elucidate the Import of Hume's Critique. 12. The Uncertain Path of Empirical Reasoning, Part I: The Unfolding of Hume's Critique of the Argument from Design. 13. The Uncertain Path of Empirical Reasoning, Part II: The Critique of the Argument from Design in the Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. Part IV: General Conclusions. 14. The Natural and Reasonable Character of the Belief in an Intelligent Author of the Universe. Bibliography. Index.