Ancient Knowledge ClubEnquiries Concerning Human Understanding and MoralsDavid Hume

Guided edition

Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding and Morals

by David Hume

Two clear inquiries into evidence, habit, ethics and the limits of certainty.

Written 1748 and 1751 51 guided readings Named English edition Read at your own pace

Read the first section free View source record

The book stays at the centre.

Read the source first. Use the guide when the language slows you down.

Original text first

Read the author's own words in a calm, focused layout.

Guidance in plain English

Get help with difficult language, context and argument.

Key takeaways for every chapter

Finish each chapter with the ideas worth carrying forward.

Inside this edition

Read it in the order it was written.

Each reading keeps the source, context, explanation and takeaways together.

SECTION I.: Of The Different Species Of Philosophy

SECTION I.: Of The Different Species Of Philosophy. Two ways of doing moral philosophyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION I.: Of The Different Species Of Philosophy. True metaphysics against false obscurityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION II.: Of The Origin Of Ideas

SECTION II.: Of The Origin Of IdeasOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION III.: Of The Association Of Ideas

SECTION III.: Of The Association Of IdeasOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IV.: Sceptical Doubts Concerning The Operations Of The Understanding

SECTION IV.: Sceptical Doubts Concerning The Operations Of The Understanding. Why matters of fact depend on experienceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IV.: Sceptical Doubts Concerning The Operations Of The Understanding. The missing reason for inductionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IV.: Sceptical Doubts Concerning The Operations Of The Understanding. Practice without philosophical proofOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION V.: Sceptical Solution Of These Doubts

SECTION V.: Sceptical Solution Of These Doubts. Custom makes experience usefulOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION V.: Sceptical Solution Of These Doubts. Belief as a felt manner of conceptionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VI.: Of Probability

SECTION VI.: Of ProbabilityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VII.: Of The Idea Of Necessary Connexion

SECTION VII.: Of The Idea Of Necessary Connexion. Searching for the impression of powerOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VII.: Of The Idea Of Necessary Connexion. Familiar events hide equal ignoranceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VII.: Of The Idea Of Necessary Connexion. Necessary connection arises in thoughtOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VIII.: Of Liberty And Necessity

SECTION VIII.: Of Liberty And Necessity. Necessity in human conductOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VIII.: Of Liberty And Necessity. Hidden causes and everyday predictionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VIII.: Of Liberty And Necessity. Liberty as acting according to the willOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VIII.: Of Liberty And Necessity. Moral sentiment survives metaphysical difficultyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IX.: Of The Reason Of Animals

SECTION IX.: Of The Reason Of AnimalsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION X.: Of Miracles

SECTION X.: Of Miracles. Balancing testimony against uniform experienceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION X.: Of Miracles. Why marvellous reports gain influenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION X.: Of Miracles. Strong testimony can still be outweighedOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION X.: Of Miracles. Faith is not an inference from ordinary evidenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION XI.: Of A Particular Providence And Of A Future State

SECTION XI.: Of A Particular Providence And Of A Future State. Causes may not exceed their observed effectsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION XI.: Of A Particular Providence And Of A Future State. Observed nature cannot prove an added afterlifeOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION XI.: Of A Particular Providence And Of A Future State. Toleration and the limits of analogyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION XII.: Of The Academical Or Sceptical Philosophy

SECTION XII.: Of The Academical Or Sceptical Philosophy. Moderate scepticism and the problem of perceptionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION XII.: Of The Academical Or Sceptical Philosophy. Useful doubt returns to common lifeOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION XII.: Of The Academical Or Sceptical Philosophy. The proper standards for human inquiryOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

AN ENQUIRY Concerning The PRINCIPLES OF MORALS

SECTION I.: Of The General Principles Of MoralsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION II.: Of BenevolenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION III.: Of Justice. Justice arises under moderate scarcityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION III.: Of Justice. Property rules serve workable cooperationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION III.: Of Justice. Utility distinguishes justice from superstitionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IV.: Of Political SocietyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION V.: Why Utility Pleases. Utility pleases through concern for othersOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION V.: Why Utility Pleases. Sympathy connects consequence to moral sentimentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION V.: Why Utility Pleases. Conversation creates a shared moral standpointOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VI.: Of Qualities Useful To Ourselves. Practical qualities earn esteem through their effectsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VI.: Of Qualities Useful To Ourselves. Circumstance changes the value attached to ability and fortuneOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VII.: Of Qualities Immediately Agreeable To OurselvesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION VIII.: Of Qualities Immediately Agreeable To OthersOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IX.: Conclusion. Humanity supplies the common standpoint of moralsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IX.: Conclusion. Society and reputation reinforce moral sentimentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

SECTION IX.: Conclusion. Integrity offers goods that secret advantage cannot replaceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

APPENDIX IOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

APPENDIX IIOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

APPENDIX IIIOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

APPENDIX IVOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

A DIALOGUE. A foreign viewpoint makes familiar customs look strangeOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

A DIALOGUE. Shared moral principles can yield different customsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

A DIALOGUE. Custom changes emphasis without erasing moral foundationsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Source and edition are always named.

David Hume, 1748 and 1751. The Ancient Knowledge Club guide is original and kept separate from the source text.