David Hume, a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, was discussed by Melvyn Bragg and guests. They explored Hume's empiricist beliefs, skeptical views on religion, and his influence on prominent thinkers. Topics included human nature, morality, and Hume's lasting impact on philosophy.
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Quick takeaways
David Hume challenged traditional views on knowledge acquisition as an empiricist, questioning causation and human understanding limits.
Hume's moral philosophy emphasized passions over reason, revolutionizing ethical discourse and advocating for secular moral theories.
Deep dives
The Scottish Enlightenment and David Hume's Influence
In the 18th century, Edinburgh became the hub of the Scottish Enlightenment led by prominent thinkers like David Hume, Adam Smith, and James Hutton. David Hume, a key figure, revolutionized Western philosophy by exploring human nature, reasoning, and emotions. Hume's work permeated various fields from economics to ethics and influenced notable figures like Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, resonating in contemporary philosophical discussions.
Hume's Background and Intellectual Landscape
Born in 1711 after significant scientific advancements, David Hume's upbringing near the border of Scotland and England influenced his solitary intellectual pursuits. Despite attending university at an early age, Hume's real intellectual journey began at home where he delved into a wide array of subjects, shaping his passion for philosophy and general learning. His introspective nature and self-education laid the foundation for his later philosophical endeavors.
Hume's Empiricism and Induction
David Hume's philosophical stance as an empiricist challenged traditional views on knowledge acquisition, specifically critiquing induction. He highlighted how our beliefs in causation stem from observed patterns, raising doubts about the concept of necessary connection between events. Hume's exploration of induction and causation led to fundamental questions about the limits of human understanding and the origins of our philosophical concepts.
Morality, Passions, and Reason in Hume's Philosophy
Hume's moral philosophy emerged from the dynamics between reason and passions, contrasting with traditional views that reason governs human actions. He emphasized that passions, not reason, primarily motivate individuals, challenging prevailing notions of virtue and ethics. Furthermore, his assertion that moral principles stem from sentiment and empathy, rather than divine or rational mandates, revolutionized ethical discourse and laid the groundwork for secular moral theories.
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the work of the philosopher David Hume. A key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, Hume was an empiricist who believed that humans can only have knowledge of things they have themselves experienced. Hume made a number of significant contributions to philosophy. He saw human nature as a manifestation of the natural world, rather than something above and beyond it. He gave a sceptical account of religion, which caused many to suspect him of atheism. He was also the author of a bestselling History of England. His works, beginning in 1740 with A Treatise of Human Nature, have influenced thinkers from Adam Smith to Immanuel Kant and Charles Darwin, and today he is regarded by some scholars as the most important philosopher ever to write in English.With:Peter MillicanProfessor of Philosophy at the University of OxfordHelen BeebeeProfessor of Philosophy at the University of BirminghamJames HarrisSenior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of St AndrewsProducer: Thomas Morris.
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