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An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
by Davi Hume
CONTENTS
Section 1: Of the Different Species of Philosophy
Section 2: Of the Origin of Ideas
Section 3: Of the Association of Ideas
Section 4: Sceptical Doubts concerning the Operations
of the Understanding
Section 5: Sceptical Solution of these Doubts
Section 6: Of Probability
Section 7: Of the Idea of Necessary Connexion
Section 8: Of Liberty and Necessity
Section 9: Of the Reason of Animals
Section 10: Of Miracles
Section 11: Of a Particular Providence and of a Future
State
Section 12: Of the Academical or Sceptical Philosophy
Notes
* * * *
SECTION I。
Of The Different Species Of Philosophy。
M/ORAL philosophy; or the science of human nature; may
be treated after two different manners; each of which has
its peculiar merit; and may contribute to the entertainment;
instruction; and reformation of mankind。 The one considers
man chiefly as born for action; and as influenced in his
measures by taste and sentiment; pursuing one object; and
avoiding another; according to the value which these objects
seem to possess; and according to the light in which they
present themselves。 As virtue; of all objects; is allowed to
be the most valuable; this species of philosophers paint her
in the most amiable colours; borrowing all helps from poetry
and eloquence; and treating their subject in an easy and
obvious manner; and such as is best fitted to please the
imagination; and engage the affections。 They select the most
striking observations and instances from common life; place
opposite characters in a proper contrast; and alluring us
into the paths of virtue by the views of glory and
happiness; direct our steps in these paths by the soundest
precepts and most illustrious examples。 They make us
the difference between vice and virtue; they excite and
regulate our sentiments; and so they can but bend our hearts
to the love of probity and true honour; they think; that
they have fully attained the end of all their labours。
The other species of philosophers consider man in the
light of a reasonable rather than an active being; and
endeavour to form his understanding more than cultivate his
manners。 They regard human nature as a subject of
speculation; and with a narrow scrutiny examine it; in order
to find those principles; which regulate our understanding;
excite our sentiments; and make us approve or blame any
particular object; action; or behaviour。 They think it a
reproach to all literature; that philosophy should not yet
have fixed; beyond controversy; the foundation of morals;
reasoning; and criticism; and should for ever talk of truth
and falsehood; vice and virtue; beauty and deformity;
without being able to determine the source of these
distinctions。 While they attempt this arduous task; they are
deterred by no difficulties; but proceeding from particular
instances to general principles; they still push on their
enquiries to principles more general; and rest not satisfied
till they arrive at those original principles; by which; in
every science; all human curiosity must be bounded。 Though
their speculations seem abstract; and even unintelligible to
common readers; they aim at the approbation of the learned
and the wise; and think themselves sufficiently compensated
for the labour of their whole lives; if they can discover
some hidden truths; which may contribute to the instruction
of posterity。
It is certain that the easy and obvious philosophy will
always; with the generality of mankind; have the preference
above the accurate and abstruse; and by many will be
recommended; not only as more agreeable; but more useful
than the other。 It enters more into common life; moulds the
heart and affections; and; by touching those principles
which actuate men; reforms their conduct; and brings them
nearer to that model of perfection which it describes。 On
the contrary; the abstruse philosophy; being founded on a
turn of mind; which cannot enter into business and action;
vanishes when the philosopher leaves the shade; and comes
into open day; nor can its principles easily retain any
influence over our conduct and behaviour。 The feelings of
our heart; the agitation of our passions; the vehemence of
our affections; dissipate all its conclusions; and reduce
the profound philosopher to a mere plebeian。
This also must be confessed; that the most durable; as
well as justest fame; has been acquired by the easy
philosophy; and that abstract reasoners seem hitherto to
have enjoyed only a momentary reputation; from the caprice
or ignorance of their own age; but have not been able to
support their renown with more equitable posterity。 It is
easy for a profound philosopher to commit a mistake in his
subtile reasonings; and one mistake is the necessary parent
of another; while he pushes on his consequences; and is not
deterred from embracing any conclusion; by its unusual
appearance; or its contradiction to popular opinion。 But a
philosopher; who purposes only to represent the common sense
of mankind in more beautiful and more engaging colours; if
by accident he falls into error; goes no farther; but
renewing his appeal to common sense; and the natural
sentiments of the mind; returns into the right path; and
secures himself from any dangerous illusions。 The fame of
C/ICERO flourishes at present; but that of A/RISTOTLE is
utterly decayed。 L/A B/RUYERE passes the seas; and still
maintains his reputation: But the glory of M/ALEBRANCHE is
confined to his own nation; and to his own age。 And
A/DDISON; perhaps; will be read with pleasure; when L/OCKE
shall be entirely forgotten。'2'
The mere philosopher is a character; which is commonly
but little acceptable in the world; as being supposed to
contribute nothing either to the advantage or pleasure of
society; while he lives remote from communication with
mankind; and is wrapped up in principles and notions equally
remote from their comprehension。 On the other hand; the mere
ignorant is still more despised; nor is any thing deemed a
surer sign of an illiberal genius in an age and nation where
the sciences flourish; than to be entirely destitute of all
relish for those noble entertainments。 The most perfect
character is supposed to lie between those extremes;
retaining an equal ability and taste for books; company; and
business; preserving in conversation that discernment and
delicacy which arise from polite letters; and in business;
that probity and accuracy which are the natural result of a
just philosophy。 In order to diffuse and cultivate so
accomplished a character; nothing can be more useful than
compositions of the easy style and manner; which not
too much from life; require no deep application or retreat
to be comprehended; and send back the student among mankind
full of noble sentiments and wise precepts; applicable to
every exigence of human life。 By means of such compositions;
virtue becomes amiable; science agreeable; company
instructive; and retirement entertaining。
Man is a reasonable being; and as such; receives from
science his proper food and nourishment: But so narrow are
the bounds of human understanding; that little satisfaction
can be hoped for in this particular; either from the extent
of security or his acquisitions。 Man is a sociable; no less
than a reasonable being: But neither can he always enjoy
company agreeable and amusing; or preserve the proper relish
for them。 Man is also an active being; and from that
disposition; as well as from the various necessities of
human life; must submit to business and occupation: But the
mind requires some relaxation; and cannot always support its
bent to care and industry。 It seems; then; that nature has
pointed out a mixed kind of life as most suitable to the
human race; and secretly admonished them to allow none of
these biases to too much; so as to incapacitate them
for other occupations and entertainments。 Indulge your
passion for science; says she; but let your science be
human; and such as may have a direct reference to action and
society。 Abstruse thought and profound researches I
prohibit; and will severely punish; by the pensive
melancholy which they introduce; by the endless uncertainty
in which they involve you; and by the cold reception which
your pretended discoveries shall meet with; when
communicated。 Be a philosopher; but; amidst all your
philosophy; be still a man。
Were the generality of mankind contented to prefer the
easy philosophy to the abstract and profound; without
throwing any blame or contempt on the latter; it might not
be improper; perhaps; to comply with this general opinion;
and allow every man to enjoy; without opposition; his own
taste and sentiment。 But as the matter is often carried
farther; even to the absolute rejecting of all profound
reasonings; or what is commonly called ; we
shall now proceed to consider what can reasonabl