Philosophy - David Hume Life Flashcards
When and where was David Hume born?
He was born in 1711 in Scotland.
What was his family like?
Some of his family were aristocratic.
What did his father do?
He was a successful lawyer.
What happened to Hume’s father?
He died when David was 2.
What happened when Hume was 12?
He went to university to study law.
What happened when Hume was at university?
He hated law, so he left.
Who did he encounter at 18?
A group of philosophers who belonged to a ‘new scene of thought’.
Who were the philosophers Hume met at 18 influenced by and what did they argue?
These philosophers were influenced by Isaac Newton and his new science. They argued for a basis of all knowledge including religion, morality and economics.
Why did Hume confront the Church?
His skeptical views of religion and the existence of God led too confrontation with the Church, which accused him of being an atheist.
When did Hume leave Britain?
In 1734, when he became a banker and travelled in France.
What was Hume’s first book and when did he write it?
He published A Treatise on Human Nature in 1739. It was not a success.
What happened when Hume applied to be a professor?
His atheism meant he was twice rejected as a professor at Edinburgh University and Glasgow.
What was Hume’s more successful book?
In 1742 he published Essays, Moral and Political, which was much more successful.
When did Hume become a tutor?
In 1745 he became tutor to the Marquess of Annandale.
When did Hume become a secretary?
In 1746 he became secretary to General James St Clair.
When did Hume work in a library?
He became Keeper of the Advocates’ Library at Edinburgh in 1752.
What was the source of Hume’s wealth?
The six volumes of his History of England (1752-1762).
When did Hume define knowledge?
In 1757 he published his influential An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding in which he defined what knowledge is.
When did Hume mix with French philosophers?
As a Secretary to Lord Hertford, the British Ambassador to Paris
What were the French philosophers called?
Les Philosophes.
When did Hume receive a great honour?
In 1767 he was appointed Under Secretary of State, Northern Department, which was a great honour.
When did Hume return to Edinburgh?
In 1768. He began to revise his books on philosophy.
When did Hume die?
Hume died in 1776 in his home.
What was the name of Hume’s book the challenged the design argument?
Controversial Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (Published after Death)
