num_pages: 763
description: A Treatise of Human Nature: Being an Attempt to introduce the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects (1739-40), David Hume's comprehensive attempt to base philosophy on a new, observationally grounded study of human nature, is one of the most important texts in Western philosophy. It's also a focal point of current attempts to understand 18th-century philosophy. The Treatise 1st explains how we form concepts like cause &amp; effect, external existence &amp; personal identity, &amp; to form compelling but unconfirmable beliefs in the entities represented by them. It then offers a novel account of the passions, explains freedom &amp; necessity as they apply to choices &amp; actions, &amp; concludes with detailed explanations of how we distinguish between virtue &amp; vice &amp; of the kinds of virtue. Hume's Abstract of the Treatise outlines his chief argument regarding our conception of, &amp; belief in, cause &amp; effect. The texts printed here are those of the critical edition of Hume's philosophical works now being published by the Clarendon Press. The volume includes a substantial introduction explaining the aims of the Treatise as a whole &amp; of each of its ten parts, extensive annotations, a glossary of terms, a comprehensive index &amp; further reading suggestions.
language: English
title: A Treatise of Human Nature
titlecomplete: A Treatise of Human Nature
genres: Classics, 18th Century, Politics, Philosophy, Science, Theory, Academic, Psychology, Nonfiction, Literature
ratings_count: 11932
series: A Treatise of Human Nature
publisher: Oxford University Press