David Hume
- Born:
- 7 May 1711, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Died:
- 25 August 1776, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Nationality:
- Scottish
- Profession(s):
- Philosopher, Historian, Economist, Essayist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family of lawyers.
- Attended the University of Edinburgh at the age of twelve, initially intending to study law.
- Developed an early interest in philosophy and literature, largely self-taught.
Career and Major Achievements
- Spent several years in France, where he wrote his A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Served as secretary to General St Clair during military expeditions.
- Served as Librarian to the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh.
- Published his History of England, which became a bestseller.
- Held diplomatic posts in Paris.
Notable Works
- A Treatise of Human Nature (1739–40)
- Essays, Moral and Political (1741–42)
- An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748)
- An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751)
- History of England (1754–62)
- Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (Published posthumously, 1779)
Later in life, David Hume composed what he referred to as autobiography of david hume, more commonly known as "My Own Life," a concise account of his personal and intellectual development intended for inclusion with future editions of his essays.
Legacy and Impact
Hume is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment. His empiricist approach, skepticism, and influence on subsequent philosophers like Immanuel Kant have had a lasting impact on epistemology, ethics, and political thought. He remains influential in contemporary debates about the nature of knowledge, causality, and morality.