David Hume (1711-1776) was an 18th-century philosopher, historian, and essayist from Scotland.  It has been argued by some that Hume was the best philosopher to ever have written in English.  Hume wrote about the issues of free will, naturalism, and morality, a topic that we covered in class.  Two of his famous works include "Treatise of Human Nature" and "Enquiry
Concerning the Principles of Morals," in which he proposes a morality structure based solely on personal utility and sentiment and without regard to religious beliefs.  David Hume was very influential in the Enlightenment era, and his works continue to be studied today.

1.)  David Hume   (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4753/index3.html)
This page gives a biography of David Hume's life and offers a summary of his works.  It particularly focuses on Hume's theory that knowledge results from experience, and this experience is only present in one's mind.

2.)  Ty's David Hume Homepage  (link from #1)
This page by David Eric "Tycerium" Lightner outlines David Hume's events, works (including his "Enquiry concerning the Principles of Moral"), secondary works, electronic texts, books in print, and his journals.

3.)  An outline of Hume's views on miracles   (link from #1)
This page illustrates Hume's views about miracles.  Hume felt that miracles violated the 'laws of nature' and argued against belief in them. He realized, however, that because of human nature, people would continue to believe in miracles.

4.)  Hume, David  (http://daemon.ilt.columbia.edu/academic/digitexts/hume/bio_hume.html)
This site discusses Hume's skepticism in his works and his rejection of "any rational or natural theology."

5.)  The Hume Society (http://www.hi.is/~mike/hume.html)
This page is entitled, "The Hume Society."  It was founded in 1974 and its purpose is to generate scholarship on Hume's works.  It invites and offers commentaries on Hume.

6.)  David Hume  (http://www.efr.hw.ac.uk/EDC/edinburghers/david-hume.html)
This page offers a description of Hume's life and works and refers to Hume as "the most acute thinker in Britain in the eighteenth century."

7.)   The Hume Archives   (http://www.utm.edu:80/research/hume/hume.html)
"The Hume Archives" offers a collection of writings both by and about Hume.  The site includes links to his works, commentaries about his works, and early biographies about his life.

8.)  History of Western Philosophy from 1492-1776   (http://ucs.orst.edu/~uzgalisw/302/)
In this page, Hume is cited as one of the 'stars' of philosophy between the 16th and 18th centuries.  In the "Era" section of this site, a history of Hume's philosophical contributions is offered.

9.)  David Hume  (http://sunsite.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/phil/filosofer/hume.html)
This site talks about Hume's influence as a naturalist and the critical role that he played during the Enlightenment.  It offers some of Hume's works including "The Natural History of Religion" and "My Own Life."

10.)  David Hume   (http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/h/hume.htm)
This page, from the "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy" offers an in-depth biography of Hume's life and works.
 

Return to class readings page:  Kinesiology 493: Philosophy of Kinesiology