Reading Hume on Human Understanding Essays on the First Enquiry [Paperback]

This companion to the study of one of the great works of Western philosophy--David Hume'sEnquiry concerning Human Understanding(1748)--provides a general overview of theEnquiry, especially for those approaching it for the first time, and sets it in the context of Hume's philosophical work as a whole. It elucidates, analyzes, and assesses the philosophy of theEnquiry, clarifying its interpretation and discussing recent developments in Hume scholarship that are relevant to theEnquiry. The eminent contributors to this volume cover a broad range of topics: meaning, induction, skepticism, belief, personal identity, causation, freedom, miracles, probability, and religious belief.

Introduction,Peter Millican
1. The Context, Aims, and Structure of Hume's FirstEnquiry,Peter Millican
2. Two Species of Philosophy; The Historical Significance of the FirstEnquiry,M. A. Stewart
3. Empiricism about Meanings,Jonathan Bennett
4. Hume's Sceptical Doubts concerning Induction,Peter Millican
5. Belief and Instinct in Hume's FirstEnquiry,Martin Bell
6. Hume, Belief, and Personal Identity,Justin Broackes
7. The Idea of Necessary Connexion,Edward J. Craig
8. David Hume: Objects and Power,Galen Strawson
9. Hume and Thick Connexions,Simon Blackburn
10. Hume on Liberty and Necessity,George Botterill
11. Hume on Testimony concerning Miracles,Don Garrett
12. Hume versus Price on Miracles and Prior Probabilities: Testimony and the Bayesian Calculation,David Owen
13. Religion: The Useless Hypothesis,J. C. A. Gaskin
14. Of the Academical or Sceptical Philosophy,David F. Norton
Bibliography, Index

Peter Millican'sReading Hume on Human Understandingis a comprehensive overview of the philosophy of the firstEnquiryand of the seconl°