A Treatise of Human Nature, Volume 2: Editorial Material

In A Treatise of Human Nature, Volume 2: Editorial Material, the Norton editors present a thoughtful analysis of Hume's notable attempts to study human nature through the lens of empirical observation and rational inquiry. This second volume is part of a larger project known as A Treatise of Human Nature, originally published between 1739 and 1740. Hume's work is historically significant as it shifted the focus from metaphysical constructs to human psychology as a basis for understanding knowledge, emotion, and morality.

David Hume, in his writing, embarks on dissecting the mind's capabilities and limitations, intent on illustrating how human understanding works and how passions play a meaningful role in our decision-making processes. This volume provides editorial insights into Hume's ideas in the context of his era and their reception in the centuries that followed. The editors meticulously present the background to Hume's thought, examine the text’s complex terminology, and explore the detailed arguments set forth in his philosophical system.

• Hume's philosophy underscores the importance of empirical evidence and observations in building knowledge, rejecting the idea that certain truths can be known a priori.
• The interplay of human emotion and reason is central to understanding morality and decision-making, which challenges the traditional view of reason as the dominant factor in ethical understanding.
• Hume famously introduces the problem of induction, questioning how we can justify our beliefs about the world based on past experiences.

"Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them."

"The mind is a kind of theatre, where several perceptions successively make their appearance; pass, repass, glide away, and mingle in an infinite variety of postures and situations."

Hume’s work in A Treatise of Human Nature remains relevant due to its foundational role in the development of modern philosophical thought. This volume's editorial material enriches our understanding of Hume's contributions by situating his ideas within a broader intellectual context, revealing their evolution and impact over time. The in-depth editorial analysis aids readers in grasping the nuances of Hume’s arguments, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the complexities involved in the study of human nature and cognition.

This edition is crucial not only for students of philosophy but also for anyone interested in the overarching questions of human existence and the mechanisms of our mental faculties. The editorial guidance in Volume 2 facilitates a more accessible engagement with Hume's work, promoting an enriched understanding of its long-term influence on subjects ranging from psychology and ethics to epistemology and beyond.