Philosophy 176

A four-unit course on the philosophy of David Hume (1711-1776), treating as thoroughly as possible in the time available many of the central issues in his major works. Students will be expected to read widely and carefully in Hume’s writings and to discuss and write clearly about them and the problems they raise. Completion of at least Philosophy 25B is strongly advised, but not a prerequisite. The richer one’s background in philosophy, and the more one reads and thinks and discusses with others, the more one will get from the course. There is a large body of secondary literature on Hume that can be very helpful, but the emphasis in the course will be on the words and ideas of Hume himself.