Tom L. Beauchamp is Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University.
Summary
New in the Oxford Philosophical Texts series!
The Oxford Philosophical Texts series consists of truly practical and accessible guides to major philosophical
texts in the history of philosophy from the ancient world up to modern times. Each book opens with a comprehensive
introduction by a leading specialist which covers the philosopher's life, work, and influence. Endnotes, a full
bibliography, guides to further reading, and an index are also included.
Now one of the most widely read works in philosophy, David Hume's An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding
(1748) introduced his philosophy to a broad educated readership. In it he gives an elegant and accessible presentation
of strikingly original and challenging views about the limited powers of human understanding, the attractions of
skepticism, the compatibility of free will and determinism, and weaknesses in the foundations of religion. In this
volume, an authoritative new version of the text is enhanced by detailed explanatory notes, a glossary of terms,
a full list of references, and a section of supplementary readings.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introductory Material
How to Use this Book
List of Abbreviations
Editor's Introduction
1. Life and Early Publishing History
2. Cultural and Intellectual Background
3. Two General Features of Hume's Philosophy
4. Philosophy of Mind
5. Epistemology
6. Metaphysics
7. Philosophy of Religion
8. Scepticism
Supplementary Reading
The Text Printed in this Edition
Part 2: The Text
An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding
1. Of the Different Species of Philosophy
2. Of the Origin of Ideas
3. Of the Association of Ideas
4. Sceptical Doubts concerning the Operations of the Understanding
5. Sceptical Solution of these Doubts
6. Of Probability
7. Of the Idea of Necessary Connexion
8. Of Liberty and Necessity
9. Of the Reason of Animals
10. Of Miracles
11. Of a Particular Providence and of a Future State
12. Of the Academical or Sceptical Philosophy
