David Hume's Life

Question 1

When did David Hume live?

Answer 1

1711-76

Question 2

Where was he brought up?

Answer 2

Scotland

Question 3

What was Hume’s Aim, what what did he come to conclude?

Answer 3

To apply the scientific discoveries of Newton to philosophy, and later on he concluded that cause and effect do not actually exist in nature.

Question 4

Where did David Hume travel?

Answer 4

‘Widely Around Europe’

Question 5

Hume was ill with what?

Answer 5

A stomach ache.

Question 6

Why was he criticised?

Answer 6

Because of his challenging of Christian’s belief.

Question 7

What did David Hume want?

Answer 7

To be admired as a writer.

Question 8

When was A treatise of Human Nature published?

Answer 8

1739, when he was 28.

Question 9

Hume’s family was?
His father was a?

Answer 9

Aristocratic
Lawyer

Question 10

Was his mother wealthy

Answer 10

No

Question 11

When did Hume’s father die?

Answer 11

1713

Question 12

David Hume went at age 12 to a university in Edinburgh to study what?

Answer 12

Law

Question 13

What did DH do in Bristol?

Answer 13

In 1734, DH went to Bristol to work as a banker.

Question 14

In 1742, he wrote a second book, was this more popular?

Answer 14

Yes.

Question 15

What was DH’s jobs?

Answer 15

Banker in Bristol
Tutor to the Marquess of Annandale
Secretary to General ST Clair
Secretary to Lord Hertford
Mixed with Les Philosophes.

Question 16

In 1762, the last volume of what was published?

Answer 16

The History of England
(6 volumes)

Question 17

What was DH appointed for?

Answer 17

Under secretary of state, 1767.

Question 18

Why did DH return to Edinburgh at 58?

Answer 18

To revise philosophical publications.

Question 19

Name 2 other highly influential books that DH wrote.

Answer 19

An enquiry concerning Human Nature
An Enquiry concerning the Principles and Morals.

Question 20

Did he believe in Immortality?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

Hume does not believe in God, but he believed that …?

Answer 21

…there is an underlying principle of the universe.

Question 22

What did David Hume believe in?

Answer 22

That there no moral laws but they are just feelings that we share with each other and treat as if they are laws.

Question 23

In Edinburgh, who did DH meet? What did they do?

Answer 23

Philosophers introducing a ‘new scene of thought.’ They were radical philosophers questioning religion and were looking for a scientific basis of knowledge, morals, economics and politics.

Question 24

What did the church accuse DH of being?

Answer 24

An atheist + infidel. Therefore, the church successfully petitioned the authorities not to make him professor of Moral philosophy. Scotland also tried to excommunicate him.