Essays, Moral and Political
by David Hume
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1741-1742
- Form
- Essay
- Language
- English
- Length
- Medium · 280 pp120 to 300 pages
- Difficulty
- Demanding3 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendEssays Moral, Political, and LiteraryLiberty Fund, 1987Eugene F. Miller's edition gives the final text Hume approved, with his variants and the essays he later withdrew.
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The collection Hume published in two volumes after the Treatise fell flat, and expanded and rearranged for the rest of his life. The political essays treat the origin of government, the first principles of government, parties, the independence of parliament, whether the British constitution inclines more to absolute monarchy or a republic, the original contract, passive obedience, and the idea of a perfect commonwealth. Others take up the rise of the arts and sciences, national characters, superstition and enthusiasm, and the commercial subjects that Adam Smith read closely, including money, interest, the balance of trade and the jealousy of trade.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Essays, Moral and Political are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
