The Philosophical Progress of Hume's EssaysFor those open to the possibility that philosophical thought can improve life, David Hume's Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary have something to say. In the first comprehensive study of the Essays, Margaret Watkins engages closely with these neglected texts and shows how they provide important insights into Hume's perspective on the breadth and depth of human life, arguing that the Essays reveal his continued commitment to philosophy as a discipline that can promote both social and individual progress. Addressing topics such as politics, war, slavery, the priesthood, the development of industry, aesthetics, emotional disorders, egoism, friendship, sexuality, gender relations, and the nature of philosophy itself, the volume examines Hume's purposes and aims against the backdrop of the eighteenth century society in which he lived. It will be of interest to scholars of modern thought in philosophy, politics, history, and economics. |
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aesthetic appears argument Aristotle beauty behavior chapter chastity Cicero civil common concern conjectural history constitution courage cultivation David Hume delicacy of passion delicacy of taste delicate taste desire discussion distance effects emotions enslaved Epicurean Epicurus experience factionalism feel friends friendship Giambattista Vico habit happiness Hellenistic Hermarchus homoerotic homosexuality human nature Hume argues Hume believes Hume claims Hume says Hume writes Hume’s Political Hume’s view Ibid ideas important industry judgment liberty Malebranche Mandeville marriage melancholy mind modern Montaigne moral motives Nicomachean Ethics numbers objects one’s Original Contract pain party people’s person perspective philosophical pleasure Polygamy possible practice pride principles produce progress promote public spirit quietism reason reflection relation religion requires second Enquiry self-love sense sentiments sexual slavery social society someone Stoic suggests superstition sympathy temper tendency theory thinkers thought tion traits Treatise vanity violent passions virtue virtuous women