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David Hume: Philosopher and Freethinker

Explore the life and philosophy of David Hume, a prominent 18th-century thinker who challenged religious beliefs and promoted human reason and observation. Discover how his ideas influenced the Enlightenment era and intellectual discourse. Learn about his works, impact on Scottish society, and controversial views that shaped his legacy.

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David Hume: Philosopher and Freethinker

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  1. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster

  2. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be 

  3. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be  …after this life

  4. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be  …after this life than that I  had not been

  5. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be  …after this life than that I  had not been …before I began to exist.

  6. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be  …after this life than that I  had not been …before I began to exist. Nothing is more surprising than the ease with which the many are governed by so few

  7. It is, I think, thought-provoking that the thoughts of people like Hume, the greatest thinker of the 18th Century – and whose statue stands before the Scottish Parliament - and Russell, arguably the greatest thinker of the 20th Century, are not thought suitable, by someone in control (!) of the BBC, to be presented on “Thought for the Day”.

  8. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be after this life than that I  had not been before I began to exist. Nothing is more surprising than the ease with which the many are governed by so few The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny

  9. The life of man is of no greater importance to the Universe than that of an oyster I am no more uneasy to think I should not be after this life than that I  had not been before I began to exist.

  10. The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.David Hume The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one.David Hume Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.David Hume The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny.David HumeRead more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/david_hume_2.html#Gu2jSF12DDeQeQAY.99 Boswell: David Hume said to me he was no more uneasy to think he should not be after this life, than that he had not been before he began to exist.

  11. Born in Edinburgh into a Calvinist family in 1711, Hume entered Edinburgh University at the age of 12 to study law, leaving less than three years later, having concentrated more on his own interests than his course work. After a brief business career in Bristol, he moved to France and took up writing. His development of philosophical ideas had been influenced by the concepts of science and observation. His first major book "A Treatise of Human Nature" in 1739 was not an immediate success and he returned to Scotland as a companion to the Marquis of Annandale in the Borders. His next book "Essays, Moral and Political" in 1741 was more successful. Hume proclaimed the dominance of human reason over religious faith and, at a time when religious dogma was followed by most people without question, he was a self-proclaimed atheist. He was thus not able to become professor of philosophy at Edinburgh University because of his "anti-religious" views. Mixing a diplomatic career in France with further writing, his "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" had an influence on Adam Smith. While in Paris (as Secretary to the British Embassy from 1763-66) he became popular with French society and helped the writer Rousseau. Hume returned to Edinburgh in 1769 and mixed with the intellectuals of the capital during the phase described as "The Scottish Enlightenment". His associates included the economist Adam Smith, the portraitist and essayist Allan Ramsay and the historian William Robertson. In addition to writing books on philosophy which have influenced thinking to this day, Hume also wrote a number of books of history, including works on the reigns of King James VI and Charles I and also a "Natural History of Religion". A recent poll of academics voted Hume as the Scot who had made the greatest impact on Scotland in the last 1,000 years. The illustration is of a statue to David Hume on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Return to the Index of Famous Scots

  12. A Freethinker’s thoughts on “Thoughts for the Day

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