Hume's Scepticism: Pyrrhonian and Academic

Peter S. Fosl presents a unique and radical interpretation of David Hume as a thoroughgoing sceptic, examining his epistemological, metaphysical, and doxastic grounds through historical context and conceptual analysis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2019
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

David Hume's scepticism has been widely interpreted in contemporary readings, but Peter S. Fosl presents a unique and radical interpretation of Hume as a thoroughgoing sceptic on epistemological, metaphysical, and doxastic grounds. Fosl begins by situating Hume's thought historically within the sceptical tradition and then proceeds to analyze the conceptual apparatus of his work, including the Treatise, Enquiries, Essays, History, Dialogues, and letters.

Hume's scepticism is rooted in his belief that human knowledge is limited and fallible. He argues that our senses are unreliable and that our minds are prone to error. This leads to a skeptical view of the world, where we cannot know anything with absolute certainty. Hume's scepticism is not limited to epistemology, but also extends to metaphysics and doxastic grounds.

In his Treatise, Hume argues that the mind is a tabula rasa, or a blank slate, at birth. This means that we have no innate ideas or beliefs. Everything we know comes from experience. Hume's scepticism is based on the idea that experience is unreliable and that our memories are not always accurate. He argues that our memories are often influenced by our desires and emotions, and that we can be deceived by our senses.

Hume's scepticism is also evident in his Enquiries. In this work, Hume examines the nature of causation and the principles of association. He argues that causation is not a necessary relationship between events, but rather a relationship that is based on our experience. Hume's scepticism is based on the idea that our experiences are not always reliable and that we can be deceived by our senses.

Hume's scepticism is also evident in his Essays. In this work, Hume examines the nature of morality and the principles of ethics. He argues that morality is not a natural property of the world, but rather a social construct that is based on our desires and emotions. Hume's scepticism is based on the idea that our desires and emotions are not always reliable and that we can be deceived by our senses.

Hume's scepticism is also evident in his History. In this work, Hume examines the history of philosophy and the development of scientific knowledge. He argues that scientific knowledge is not a natural property of the world, but rather a social construct that is based on our desires and emotions. Hume's scepticism is based on the idea that our desires and emotions are not always reliable and that we can be deceived by our senses.

Hume's scepticism is also evident in his Dialogues. In this work, Hume examines the nature of human nature and the principles of social interaction. He argues that human nature is not a fixed and unchanging entity, but rather a dynamic and evolving entity that is shaped by our experiences. Hume's scepticism is based on the idea that our experiences are not always reliable and that we can be deceived by our senses.

In conclusion, Peter S. Fosl offers an original and radical interpretation of David Hume as a thoroughgoing sceptic on epistemological, metaphysical, and doxastic grounds. Fosl situates Hume's thought historically within the sceptical tradition and then proceeds to analyze the conceptual apparatus of his work, including the Treatise, Enquiries, Essays, History, Dialogues, and letters. Hume's scepticism is rooted in his belief that human knowledge is limited and fallible, and that our senses are unreliable and that our minds are prone to error. Fosl's interpretation of Hume's scepticism is a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy and will continue to be debated for many years to come.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 240 x 163 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474451123