May 7, 1711

The work of David Hume (May 7, 1711 to August 25, 1776) is one reason scholars refer to the Scottish enlightenment as a determining factor in our modern world. Hume persuasively pointed out in his philosophy that in fact there were no necessary connections between one moment and a succeeding one. Our knowledge comes from experience, he said, in An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1742), but there is no experience of causality itself.

But he said, sensibly, what are you going to do, we must go on, as if causation was actual. And so modern science has, to the point that the issues Hume addressed have been quite forgotten. And most natural scientists today, are philosophically illiterate. Which is not Hume's fault. Hume's sensible approach to his own devastating analysis can be seen in other aspects of his life. Here is an excerpt from a letter Hume wrote, though I am not certain of the identity of the recipient:

'About seven months ago I got a house of my own, and completed a regular family; consisting of a head, viz. myself, and two inferior members, a maid and a cat. My sister has since joined me, and keeps me company. With frugality I can reach, I find, cleanliness, warmth, light, plenty, and contentment. What would you have more? Independence? I have it in a supreme degree. Honour? that is not altogether wanting. Grace? that will come in time. A wife? that is none of the indispensable requisites of life. Books? that is one of them; and I have more than I can use.'


Thus David Hume, in 1753. We are indebted to the editor, G. Birkbeck Hill, for including this note in his volume: Letters of David Hume to William Strahan (1888).