Why Do Some Regard David Hume As One Of The Greatest Philosophers To Write In The English Language?

Edinburgh University


One of the oldest buildings at Edinburgh University in Scotland is the David Hume Tower where the humanities are based at the University.

David Hume himself was a Scotsman (1711-1776) and was probably the universities most famous student - apart from Steemit's own @mindhunter of course (being ever so modest!)

He is regarded by many as one of the greatest philosophers who ever wrote in English language, but why? Lets look at a few reasons why.



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The helicopter thinker


  • Hume had the most excellent mind at looking past the Empiricist view of the world, and could point absurdities at the drop of a hat, and thus reduce his readers to having feltlike idiots!

  • He is most famous for the problem of induction and the subsequent solving of this problem

  • Morality was a clear issue with him, and he is famous for the ought-is distinction which is still at the focal point of modern philosophy

  • He could disarm any kind of wrong religious arguments within seconds, and tear apart any kind of teleological nonsense.

Based on just these facts alone, his contribution to philosophy is overwhelming to the point where I can see no other philosopher usurping him in the English language. Adam Smith and Kant for me are a close second.

The other reason he solidified his position to me was his command of the English language, and the clarity of his writing. He was both clever and up-front with his writing and always made it fun. After reading Plato's 'Republic', to read any Hume is like a fresh air walk in the park afterwards. If you don't dig Hume, you certainly don't dig philosophy.

Muse on my philosophy friends.

@mindhunter


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