An Enquiry concerning Human UnderstandingOver a series of elegantly written, engaging essays, the Enquiry examines the experiential and psychological sources of meaning and knowledge, the foundations of reasoning about matters that lie beyond the scope of our sensory experience and memory, the nature of belief, and the limitations of our knowledge. The positions Hume takes on these topics have been described as paradigmatically empiricist, sceptical, and naturalist and have been widely influential and even more widely decried. The introduction to this edition discusses the Enquiry’s origin, evolution, and critical reception, while appendices provide examples of contemporary responses to Hume. |
Contents
From George Campbell A Dissertation on Miracles 1762 | 205 |
From Thomas Reid AnInquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense1764 and Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man 1785 | 217 |
From James Beattie An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth 1774 | 263 |
From Immanuel Kant Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics 1784 and The Critique of Pure Reason 17811787 | 277 |
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able according actions allowed appearance argument attempt belief body carried cause circumstances colour common conceive conception concerning conclusion connection connexion consequence consider contrary course derived determined discover distinct doubt edition effect enquiry entirely equal Essays event evidence existence experience external fact feel follow force give greater human Hume Hume’s idea imagination immediately impossible impression infer inserts instance kind known laws least less mankind manner matter means mind miracles moral motion nature necessary necessity never object observation omits operations opinion original particular passions past perceive perceptions perhaps person philosophers position possible present principles probability produce proof prove qualities question reason reference reflection regard Reid relation render scepticism seems sensation sense sensible sentiments similar species succession suppose testimony thing thought tion Treatise understanding universe whole