David Hume

Biography

David Hume (1711–1776) was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy. His radical empiricism—the position that all knowledge derives from sense experience—challenged the foundations of both rationalist philosophy and religious belief. His major philosophical works include A Treatise of Human Nature (1739), An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748), and Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779). Hume also wrote a best-selling History of England. His thought influenced Kant, who said Hume awoke him from his "dogmatic slumber."