Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

Author: David Hume Series: Penguin Classics

One of the most compelling works ever written, attacking the arguments for the existence of God

Presents traditional arguments for the existence of God, expressing the belief that religion is founded on ignorance and irrational fears. This book offers a case against orthodox Christian theological thinking and the 'deism' of the time, which pointed to the wonders of creation as conclusive evidence of God's Design.

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Summary

One of the most compelling works ever written, attacking the arguments for the existence of God

Description

In the posthumously published Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, the Enlightenment philosopher David Hume attacked traditional arguments for the existence of God, claiming that religion is founded on ignorance and irrational fears. Though calm and courteous in tone - at times even tactfully ambiguous - the conversations between Hume's vividly realized fictional figures form perhaps the most searching case ever mounted against orthodox Christian theological thinking and the 'deism' of the time, which pointed to the wonders of creation as evidence of God's Design. Hume's characters debate these issues with extraordinary passion, lucidity and humour, in one of the most compelling philosophical works ever written.Based on Hume's manuscript, Martin Bell's edition provides an accessible modern version, while his fascinating introduction sets Hume's religious scepticism in the philosophical and scientific context of its time.

About the Author

David Hume (1711-76) devoted himself from early youth to 'philosophy and great learning'. A Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40) was not well received on publication, but is now viewed as his masterpiece.