You Should Read David Hume | The Greatest Scottish Philosopher

In this video, I'm going to provide a very brief guide to reading David Hume (1711-1776) . Hume is a Scottish philosopher who lived in the early modern period and wrote about many important subjects, including the nature of the human mind, ethical theory, and political theory.

In this video, I go over some of Hume's most important texts, the Treatise and the Enquiry. I also recommend three secondary texts to help you read and understand David Hume.

Enjoy!

Recommendations:

Don Garret's Cognition and Commitment (ISBN: 978-0195159592)

Norman Kemp Smith's The Philosophy of David Hume (ISBN: 978-1403915078)

[Mostafa.]

I'm a self taught philosophy student. Hume and Schopenhauer are my favorites. Among Hume's books I find his Dialogues a delightful masterpiece.
Thanks for this video.

[sophiaisabelle]

The Classical Mind should be getting more recognition. Philosophy is an academic discipline that people should give more emphasis to in their own respective lives. It’s something that also brings us closer to the truth, which is very fascinating, the more you think about that.

[LBT-sydp]

I have to admit, this channel is the best thing in yt, thank u for your content!!!

[andrew_blank]

Love that perspective of anyone who has a secondary education and is willing to put in the work can read and understand these complex works

[bignatesbookreviews]

Read a few essays by Hume and his writing style was just a breath of fresh air.. such a clear thinker. think ima pick up treatise on human nature now

[Gruso]

@ 4:00

This is incredibly motivating. Especially since I have seen it true through my own efforts. I appreciate you saying this about reading hard books. It really does payoff.

[AzraelCamenite]

I remember reading a few of Hume's essays on Luxury and on Contract Theory for two separate classes, and just being so relieved (we read him immediately after heavy doses of Rousseau and Hobbes in both classes). He's genuinely a delight to read. I put him with Plato and Niethzche as the most readable of philosophers without sacrificing any content.

[oregonfelder]

In the “Five Foot Shelf Harvard Collection” there is book dedicated to Locke, Hume and Berkeley, and the preread notes talk about Hume’s Enquiry being the more mature version to read. I appreciated that each book has guided reading and that you even pointed out the same.

[Kyle-jvqx]

I recommend non-philosophers start with the Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. It's more accessible, and some of Hume's most out there views in the Treatise are abandoned in the Enquiry. It's also the work that Hume considered his "final say" on the relevant topics.

[Expatriate_]

Thank you for the Stanford Encyclopedia and Project Gutenberg. I am smiling from the gutter at the beginning of a journey towards philosophy

[AntonioFatone]

I absolutely love your videos! I think there so much value in them and I can perceive the incredible passion you have for philosophy. It is so inspiring to watch your videos. It pushes me to read more.

You said you favourite philosopher is Aristotle and that statement intrigues me. Have you done any video on Aristotle? I am a lawyer and I think I could benefit a lot from reading his works but at the same time I have a pragmatical approach that makes me suspicious about devoting so much time and efforts to read some of his works (i.e., not sure I want to read physics, his books on animals and metaphysics. I am more interested in organon and rethoric).

I would love to have your opinion on what are the best works of aristotle for a lawyer!

[BrandonsBookshelf]

I have now watched each of your videos and I am beyond impressed. This is what I want to be doing. I am not as big as you yet and cannot believe how fast you have grown. If you are willing to chat or share your story, I would love that very much.

[Mandibil]

He is just ... The Greatest Philosopher (so far) ... no problem :-)

[eriklidstrom]

If you are interested in political theory and practice, as well as in economics, I found Hume's essays (Liberty Fund is the best edition) very rewarding. On economics and social science, Hume's Treatise and his essays are excellent. Hume's best friend Adam Smith then wrote two great works, A Theory of Moral Sentiments, and The Wealth of Nations that are complimentary.

If you want to then understand Burke, I would recommend you first read Hume's essays, as well as Simon Schama's book "Citizens" first, and then go on to Reflections on the Revolution in France.

[Mandibil]

2:34 "You should read this book" ... was that not a violation of Hume's is-ought gap ?

[KFP]

Hi Jarred! I am a self-thought philosophy learner. Would you recommend to start from the original books or the secondary (commentary) books for beginners? Thanks!

[Ahmadeeee]

I'm so glad to stumble in this channel can I ask about upaniṣad and why many philosophers influence by this book I try to grasp something in those in the book but it's fade away everytime I try to understand it, it's hard for me can you do mabye a video about it in future

[eugeniukansky]

James Harris’s intellectual biography of Hume is quite good & insightful from what I can remember; and for those interested in the friendship of David Hume and Adam Smith, I would recommend Rasmussen’s “The Infidel & the Professor” as a starting point. Great video & channel! 👏

P.S. I almost forgot! There is an article, or a book (I don’t quite remember at this point) by MA Stewart called “Hume’s Intellectual Development” which interestingly explores some influences on Hume, including the Ancients, but also some protestant influences and, of course, the impact of Newton. There is another GREAT book titled” Hume & Hume’s connections” which explores, among other things, the Influence of Francis Hutcheson and the politics behind Hume’s failed attempt to become a Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh.

[rhythmandacoustics]

He is one of my top. He goes with Quine, G.E.Moore, Robert Nozick.

[christopherlux]

I’d be interested if you have any thoughts on Bergson, I read time and free will and it blew my mind and I know he influenced a lot of other philosophers but he’s not talked about as much