David Hume's Philosophy: Historical, Sociocultural, and Philosophical Contexts

Historical Context of Hume's Era

In the political landscape of Europe, the 18th century witnessed the emergence of enlightened monarchs. This period extended from the revolutions in the Netherlands, through the English Civil War, up to the French Revolution. This latter event established a new state, reflecting the bourgeoisie's economic power, which had grown strong enough to claim political and economic hegemony. This profound historical shift stemmed from the various discoveries of the Renaissance and, especially, the Scientific Revolution.

Sociocultural Context of Hume's Life

The sociocultural context of David Hume's life unfolded during the 18th century, a period known as the Enlightenment. This era was characterized by a tremendous process of social change. Enlightenment thought confronted medieval scholasticism, religious fanaticism, Enlightenment deism, and metaphysical speculation. Both the Renaissance and the Enlightenment ushered in a period of profound disruption and unrest at all levels, fostering an anthropological study of human knowledge.

In England, the monarchy became parliamentary and constitutional, and the bourgeoisie achieved political hegemony. England emerged as the leading commercial power, distinguishing itself from the continental Enlightenment model through its parliamentary political system and the consolidation of the Scientific Revolution.

Philosophical Context of Hume's Work

The philosophical context of Hume's work is marked by a fundamental difference in the pace of events between the English and French Enlightenment, which left its indelible stamp on the Scottish thinker's skepticism. For Enlightenment thinkers, religion was often seen as a major obstacle to reason, and they believed that ignorance, perpetuated by a lack of proper education, was a primary tool for control.

Hume's philosophical skepticism arose in this particular context and must be understood within the framework of the English Enlightenment. The Scottish thinker proposed to orient thought within the bounds of common sense, fighting religious fanaticism, limiting thought to practical action, rejecting broad generalizations, and accepting only speculative ideas that served practical purposes and contributed to social and political stability. Hume believed that one of the root causes of the English Civil War stemmed from Protestant metaphysics. His philosophy confronted all abstraction that went beyond everyday civil life.

It is important to emphasize his significance as a key philosophical figure of modern empiricism, which flourished in Britain, contrasting with rationalism. Its main representatives include:

• John Locke
• Francis Bacon
• George Berkeley
• David Hume