Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature
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Reading and Writing Workshop
David Hume – A Treatise of Human Nature
Overview
This workshop explores David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature (1739–40), a foundational work in Western philosophy. Students will analyze key arguments about human understanding, emotions, morality, and personal identity, while engaging in philosophical writing and debate.
Primary Text (Full Work, Public Domain):
Session 1: Introduction to Hume and Empiricism
Focus: Hume’s context, empiricism, and goals for the Treatise
Reading: A Treatise of Human Nature, Introduction and Book I, Part I, Section I
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#intro
Writing Task: Write a reflective essay: What does Hume mean when he says, “all the objects of human reason or enquiry may naturally be divided into two kinds”? Compare his view with Descartes or Locke.
Session 2: Impressions and Ideas
Focus: The origin of ideas and Hume's theory of the mind
Reading: Book I, Part I, Sections II–V
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0004
Writing Task: Create a chart of impressions vs. ideas with examples. Write a paragraph analyzing how Hume’s distinctions challenge rationalist thought.
Session 3: Causation and Skepticism
Focus: The problem of cause and effect
Reading: Book I, Part III, Sections II–VI
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0016
Writing Task: Write a short argumentative essay: Can we ever know cause and effect beyond habit? Use a real-world example to explain Hume’s position.
Session 4: The Self and Personal Identity
Focus: Hume’s account of the self
Reading: Book I, Part IV, Section VI
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0036
Writing Task: Journal entry: How does Hume’s view of personal identity differ from the common-sense notion of a stable self?
Session 5: Passions and the Role of Emotion
Focus: Emotion as central to human nature
Reading: Book II, Part I, Sections I–V
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0043
Writing Task: Analyze a moment of strong emotion from your own experience. How would Hume explain it in terms of direct vs. indirect passions?
Session 6: Morality and Sentiment
Focus: Morality as rooted in feeling, not reason
Reading: Book III, Part I, Sections I–II
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0061
Writing Task: Write a dialogue between two characters debating whether morality is based on reason or sentiment, using Hume’s ideas as a foundation.
Session 7: Justice and Society
Focus: Justice as a social construct
Reading: Book III, Part II, Sections I–IV
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0070
Writing Task: Compose a response paper: Does Hume believe justice is real, or merely useful? Explain with references to the text.
Session 8: Final Reflections and Philosophical Writing
Focus: Revisiting themes and applying Humean thought
Reading: Return to the Introduction and selected passages from Books I–III
Writing Task: Write a philosophical essay on one of these prompts:
Overview
This workshop explores David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature (1739–40), a foundational work in Western philosophy. Students will analyze key arguments about human understanding, emotions, morality, and personal identity, while engaging in philosophical writing and debate.
Primary Text (Full Work, Public Domain):
- Hume, David. A Treatise of Human Nature
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4705
Session 1: Introduction to Hume and Empiricism
Focus: Hume’s context, empiricism, and goals for the Treatise
Reading: A Treatise of Human Nature, Introduction and Book I, Part I, Section I
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#intro
Writing Task: Write a reflective essay: What does Hume mean when he says, “all the objects of human reason or enquiry may naturally be divided into two kinds”? Compare his view with Descartes or Locke.
Session 2: Impressions and Ideas
Focus: The origin of ideas and Hume's theory of the mind
Reading: Book I, Part I, Sections II–V
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0004
Writing Task: Create a chart of impressions vs. ideas with examples. Write a paragraph analyzing how Hume’s distinctions challenge rationalist thought.
Session 3: Causation and Skepticism
Focus: The problem of cause and effect
Reading: Book I, Part III, Sections II–VI
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0016
Writing Task: Write a short argumentative essay: Can we ever know cause and effect beyond habit? Use a real-world example to explain Hume’s position.
Session 4: The Self and Personal Identity
Focus: Hume’s account of the self
Reading: Book I, Part IV, Section VI
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0036
Writing Task: Journal entry: How does Hume’s view of personal identity differ from the common-sense notion of a stable self?
Session 5: Passions and the Role of Emotion
Focus: Emotion as central to human nature
Reading: Book II, Part I, Sections I–V
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0043
Writing Task: Analyze a moment of strong emotion from your own experience. How would Hume explain it in terms of direct vs. indirect passions?
Session 6: Morality and Sentiment
Focus: Morality as rooted in feeling, not reason
Reading: Book III, Part I, Sections I–II
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0061
Writing Task: Write a dialogue between two characters debating whether morality is based on reason or sentiment, using Hume’s ideas as a foundation.
Session 7: Justice and Society
Focus: Justice as a social construct
Reading: Book III, Part II, Sections I–IV
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4705/pg4705-images.html#link2H_4_0070
Writing Task: Compose a response paper: Does Hume believe justice is real, or merely useful? Explain with references to the text.
Session 8: Final Reflections and Philosophical Writing
Focus: Revisiting themes and applying Humean thought
Reading: Return to the Introduction and selected passages from Books I–III
Writing Task: Write a philosophical essay on one of these prompts:
- What does it mean to be human according to Hume?
- Is Hume’s skepticism a threat to knowledge or a foundation for science?
- How can Hume’s theory of human nature inform ethical or political decisions today?