Abstract

Examines the complementary features of the thought of Scottish infidel David Hume and Edward Gibbon, author of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire in their confrontation with 18th-century Christianity. Calling them both philosophical historians, with Hume more philosopher and Gibbon more historian, shows how they each sought to naturalize the study of Christianity and in particular its social and political aspects. Finds that they both emphasized miracles and the afterlife, the dimensions of fanaticism and superstition, and the nature of religious persecution. Contributes to the scholarship on the two thinkers, the period, and the history of religion and ideas. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.