Roger L. Emerson.

2009

The Scottish Enlightenment was a period of intellectual and scientific progress, in a country previously considered to be marginal to the European intellectual scene. Yet the enlightenment was not about politeness or civic humanism, but something more basic - the making of an improved society which could compete in every way in a rapidly changing world. David Hume, writing in 1752, commented that 'industry, knowledge and humanity are linked together by an indissoluble chain'. Collectively this volume of essays embraces many of the topics which Hume included under 'industry, knowledge and humanity': from the European Enlightenment and the Scots relation to it, to Scottish social history and its relation to religion, science and medicine. Overarching themes of what it meant to be enlightened in the eighteenth century are considered alongside more specific studies of notable figures of the period, such as Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, and David Hume, and the training and number of Scottish medical students. Together, the volume provides an opportunity to step back and reconsider the Scottish Enlightenment in its broader context and to consider what new directions this field of study might take.; Summary reprinted by permission of Ashgate

Edwin Haar.

Review of International Studies, Vol. 34, No. 2, April 2008, pp. 225-242.

David Hume's ideas on international relations are different than most international relations academics suppose. Close scrutiny of Hume's views on the nation, international society, war, balance of power, empire and trade reveals the need to reassess his place within international political theory. Taking an English School perspective, the analysis also shows the possible benefits for IR theorists within this tradition to focus on Scottish Enlightenment philosophy, which will also strengthen the position of the pluralist perspective within international society.

Sara Albieri.

Revista Mediacoes, Vol. 9, No. 2, July-Dec 2004, pp. 19-36.

Among all the great philosophers, David Hume has the rare merit of joining to a properly philosophical work an equally important output as historian. According to him, the interpretation of history by means of the general principles of political theory must not be guided by ethical or normative considerations, as when judging historic events according to what things ought to be, for instance, in view of the best government, but it should be restricted to explain the exercise of power in the different times, just as it can be established by the testimony of the sources. Only this methodological attitude allows us to avoid the partisan interpretations that try to justify the present by the past, instead of investigating it to corroborate the most appropriate explanation. Adapted from the source document.

Christopher J. Finlay.

European Journal of Political Theory, Vol. 3, No. 4, Oct 2004, pp. 369-391.

This article interprets David Hume's social & political thought as a 'theory of civil society', arguing that as such it constituted an important challenge to the civic humanism of much early 18th-century British political argument. Since republican theorists invoke the historical traditions of civic thought in current debates, Hume's theory of civil society therefore is of special interest in relation to the foundations of contemporary neo-republicanism. The first part argues that, in A Treatise of Human Nature, by analyzing different kinds of relation between human beings, Hume articulated a fundamental distinction between society & the state. The second examines Hume's Essays and Political Discourses, focusing in particular on the relationship between the respective interests of society & government, the effects of commercial refinement on virtues & sociability, & on forms of mediation between society & the state. The concluding section reviews the historical & theoretical significance of Hume's theory, focusing particularly on concepts of liberty. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright 2004.]

Neil McArthur.

David Hume (1711-1776) is perhaps best known for his treatises on problems of epistemology, skepticism, and causation. A less familiar side of his intellectual output is his work on legal and political theory. David Hume's Political Theory brings together Hume's diverse writings on law and government, collected and examined with a view to revealing the philosopher's coherent and persuasive theory of politics. Through close textual analysis, Neil McArthur suggests that the key to Hume's political theory lies in its distinction between barbarous and civilized government. Throughout the study, the author explores Hume's argument that a society's progress from barbarism to civilization depends on the legal and political system by which it is governed. Ultimately, McArthur demonstrates that the skepticism apparent in much of Hume's work does not necessarily tie him to a strict conservative ideology; rather, Hume's political theory is seen to emphasize many liberal virtues as well. Based on a new conception of Hume's political philosophy, this is a groundbreaking work and a welcome addition to the existing literature.; Summary reprinted by permission of University of Toronto Press