'Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.' Thus ends David Hume's Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, the definitive statement of the greatest philosopher in the English language. His arguments in support of reasoning from experience, and against the 'sophistry and illusion' of religiously inspired philosophical fantasies, caused controversy in the eighteenth century and are strikingly relevant today, when faith and science continue to clash. The Enquiry considers the origin and processes of human thought, reaching the stark conclusion that we can have no ultimate understanding of the physical world, or indeed our own minds. In either sphere we must depend on instinctive learning from experience, recognizing our animal nature and the limits of reason. Hume's calm and open-minded scepticism thus aims to provide a new basis for science, liberating us from the 'superstition' of false metaphysics and religion. His Enquiry remains one of the best introductions to the study of philosophy, and this edition places it in its historical and philosophical context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
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The Enquiry considers the origin and processes of human thought and argues that we should liberate ourselves from the 'superstition' of false metaphysics and religion. This edition places the work in its historical and philosophical context.
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Hume's Enquiry is one of the most important philosophical works addressing central questions of human life and knowledge, and this edition presents a reliable text with a wealth of supporting material. Reprints the last, 1777, edition, containing corrections made by Hume shortly before his death. Includes a comprehensive introduction by Peter Millican, editor of Hume Studies, which presents a succinct overview of the philosophical background to the work before exploring the Enquiry in detail. it explains how the Enquiry can be understood as a unified and powerful statement of Hume's mature philosophy and is accessible to beginning students as well as of interest to specialists. Explanatory Notes and Glossary help to clarify allusions and unfamiliar terminology. Appendices include the Abstract of the Treatise of Human Nature, a list of principal variants from the 1777 text, two short essays by Hume, excerpts from letters, Part I of the Dialogues concerning Natural Religion and Hume's short autobiography, My Own Life.
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Peter Millican is founder and director of the Leeds Electronic Text Centre and editor of the journal Hume Studies. He recently edited Reading Hume on Human Understanding (OUP, 2002).
Hume's Enquiry is one of the most important philosophical works addressing central questions of human life and knowledge, and this edition presents a reliable text with a wealth of supporting material. Reprints the last, 1777, edition, containing corrections made by Hume shortly before his death. Includes a comprehensive introduction by Peter Millican, editor of Hume Studies, which presents a succinct overview of the philosophical background to the work before exploring the Enquiry in detail. it explains how the Enquiry can be understood as a unified and powerful statement of Hume's mature philosophy and is accessible to beginning students as well as of interest to specialists. Explanatory Notes and Glossary help to clarify allusions and unfamiliar terminology. Appendices include the Abstract of the Treatise of Human Nature, a list of principal variants from the 1777 text, two short essays by Hume, excerpts from letters, Part I of the Dialogues concerning Natural Religion and Hume's short autobiography, My Own Life.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780199549900
Publisert
2008
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
212 gr
Høyde
197 mm
Bredde
129 mm
Dybde
14 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
304

Forfatter
Redaktør

Biographical note

Peter Millican is founder and director of the Leeds Electronic Text Centre and editor of the journal Hume Studies. He recently edited Reading Hume on Human Understanding (OUP, 2002).