Treatise of Human Nature

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Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume

Introduction→

Information about this edition Selby-Bigge edition of 1888

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[edit] A Treatise of Human Nature: Being an attempt to introduce the experimental method of reasoning into moral subjects.

Rara temporum felicitas, ubi sentire, quæ velis; & quae sentias, dicere licet. Tacitus

[The rare good fortune of an age in which we may feel what we wish and say what we feel]

[edit] Advertisement

My design in the present work is sufficiently explain’d in the Introduction. The reader must only observe, that all the subjects I have there plann’d out to myself, are not treated of in these two volumes. The subjects of the Understanding and Passions make a compleat chain of reasoning by themselves ; and I was willing to take advantage of this natural division, in order to try the taste of the public. If I have the good fortune to meet with success, I shall proceed to the examination of Morals, Politics, and Criticism ; which will compleat this Treatise of Human Nature. The approbation of the public I consider as the greatest reward of my labours ; but am determin’d to regard its judgment, whatever it be, as my best instruction.

[edit] Contents

[edit] Introduction

[edit] Book 1: Of the understanding

[edit] Book 2: Of the passions

[edit] Book 3: Of morals

[edit] Appendix