Studies in the Eighteenth Century Background of Hume’s Empiricism

'Studies in the Eighteenth Century Background of Hume’s Empiricism' is a scholarly investigation into the intellectual climate and philosophical precursors that shaped David Hume’s empiricist thought. Mary Shaw Kuypers explores the intricate relationship between Hume’s radical skepticism and the broader currents of 18th-century philosophy, including the influence of Newtonian science and the shifting perspectives on human nature.The work meticulously traces how Hume’s predecessors-from natural scientists to moral philosophers-provided the foundational concepts that Hume would eventually synthesize into his influential theory of knowledge. By contextualizing Hume within his own era, this study clarifies the origins of his ideas on causality, perception, and the limits of human understanding. It remains a valuable resource for students and scholars of the Enlightenment, offering deep insights into the evolution of modern epistemology and the enduring legacy of one of history’s most significant thinkers.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.