Hume's 'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion': A Reader's Guide

By Andrew Pyle

Hume's Dialogues provide a classic exposition and critique of the famous 'Argument to Design', the attempt to prove the existence and properties of a designing intelligence or God from the phenomena of Nature, notably the functional contrivance of the parts of plants and animals. As such, it raises questions of central interest in both philosphy and theology. Philosophers will be concerned with the implications of strict empiricism for our claims to know anything of the existence and properties of God, and with it the associated threat of scepticism. Theologians will be concerned about the possibility of natural theology and the problematic relation between natural theology and the claims of revealed religions such as Christianity. This book will follow the layout of the Reader's Guide Series In 'Context', Pyle will explain the philosophical and theological background against which the book was written, including what is meant by 'natural' religion introduce hte reader to Enlightenment views on religion. 'Overview of Themes' will address the question of why Hume chose to write in dialogue form, sketch out the views of the three characters and introduce the questions they address. The 'Reading the Text' section will take take the 12 parts of Dialogues in turn and guide the reader throuhg the issues thrown up. Discussion points and questions will focus thinking and encourage the reader to engage with the primary text. 'Reception and Influence' will include discussion of Hume's influence on Kant and hte debates about Darwinism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082647568X
• ISBN13: 9780826475688
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Continnuum-3PL
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Great introduction for the beginner

This book is meant to be an introduction for someone that doesnt have a good background in philosophy. It is easy to read and states things in simplistic terms. The author gives many examples from real life situations when he wants to explain an idea. He manages successfully to introduce the reader to Hume's original work. Key passages are quoted and well explained. This is the first book that I have read in the Reader's Guide series and thanks to it I plan to get more titles.