Philosophy
  • Home
  • Materialism
  • Thomas Hobbes
  • Democritus
  • Pierre LaPlace
  • Bundle Theory
  • David Hume
  • Epistemology
  • Noam Chomsky
  • Ethics
  • Human Cloning
  • Works Cited

David Hume: Biography

  • 1711 April 26, is Born at Edinburgh on April 26 1711
  • After an early education at home enters Edinburgh University where he began the study of law
  • Three years later turns from the study of law to pursue an intense independent study of his own devising.
  • After an attack of hypochondria he visits France where, over the next three years, he works on his Treatise of Human Nature.
  • The first two volumes of Treatise are published anonymously in 1739
  • The third volume of Treatise published in 1740.
  • Public reaction to his work is sparse, In response he publishes, once more anonymously, An Abstract of a Treatise of Human Nature.
  • Published a volume of Essays which is largely successful from 1741 throughout 1743.
  • Failed to attain the chair of moral philosophy at Edinburgh. Became a tutor to the marquis of Annandale.
  • Became appointed secretary to General St. Clair an travels on a military expedition to Brittany (1746) and a diplomatic mission to Turin (1748).
  • Published Philosophical Essays concerning the Human Understanding a condensation of the Treatise.
  • Essays retitled An Inquiry concerning the Human Understanding.
  • Published An Inquiry concerning Principles of Morals, also a condensation of the Treatise.
  • Published Political Discourses with much success. 
  • Worked as a keeper of the advocated library in Edinburgh.
  • Published Four Dissertations: The Natural History of Religion, Of the Passions, Of Tragedy, Of the Standard of Taste.
  • Was appointed private secretary to Lord Hertford, British ambassador to Paris.
  • Served in London as undersecretary of state, Northern 1768 Department.
  • Settled in Edinburgh and lived out the rest of his life helping young writers critically as well as financially amongst whom were Thomas Blackwell, Tobias Smollett and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
  • Later on passes away due to cancer.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.