56 pages • 1 hour read
David HumeA Treatise of Human Nature
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1739A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
David Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature, divided into three books, argues that human knowledge is based on direct experience and observation (empiricism) and that human behavior is driven by emotions rather than reason. Book 1 discusses human understanding, Book 2 explores emotions or "passions," and Book 3 delves into the origins of morals, suggesting most moral concepts stem from experiences and social relations.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature is praised for its profound insights into human psychology and epistemology, making significant contributions to philosophy. Critics note its dense and complex prose, which may challenge readers. Nonetheless, its groundbreaking ideas render it a seminal text for students and scholars of philosophy.
Who Should Read A Treatise of Human Nature?
A reader who enjoys A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume is likely an intellectual with a passion for philosophy and human psychology. Comparable to fans of Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy or Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, they appreciate rigorous analysis of human thought and empirical reasoning.