A Treatise of Human Nature Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

A Treatise of Human Nature Topics for Discussion

What is Hume's distinction between impressions and ideas? How is it important? Does it make sense?

What is Hume's argument against free will? What do you think of it?

How is Hume an empiricist? Why is Hume an empiricist?

Why is reason the slave of the passions? What is the significance of this fact?

Explain Hume's account of belief and explain why it is widely considered implausible.

What are passions, on Hume's account? What are the indirect passions and how do they come about?

How does Hume's account of the passions in Book II lay the groundwork for the account of morality in Book III?

Why can't morality be based on reason, but must be rooted in the passions instead? What are two of Hume's arguments for this view? Do you agree? Why or why not?

What is Hume's distinction between natural and artificial virtue? Do you agree with his...
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