Summary of A Treatise of Human Nature: Texts

A Treatise of Human Nature: Texts is a collection of philosophical essays by Scottish philosopher David Hume, first published in 1739–40. The work covers topics from epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, and political philosophy. The essays employ skeptical arguments to tackle fundamental philosophical problems such as causation, induction, freedom of the will, the moral status of human nature, and the nature of morality itself. Hume examines the behavior of individual agents and societies, as well as the implications of these conclusions to the progress of the sciences. He argues that ethical behavior is not necessarily the result of reason, but rather a reflection of instinct and sentiment. Hume's works have had a lasting influence on the development of modern philosophy, and remain widely read and studied.