Synopsis

This unit examines Hume's reasons for being complacent in the face of death, as these are laid out in his suppressed essay of 1755, ?Of the immortality of the soul?. More generally, they examine some of the shifts in attitude concerning death and religious belief that were taking place in Europe at the end of the eighteenth century, through examination of this and other short essays.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1 Prelude: Hume's death
2.1 Working through the section
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Empiricism
3.3 Deism
3.4 Proving God's existence
4.1 Why was our immortality an issue?
4.2 Moral grounds for thinking we are immortal
4.3 Physical grounds for thinking we are immortal
5.1 The reception of Hume's views
5.2 Philosophy, religion and everyday life
5.3 Do we have a duty to God not to commit suicide?
5.4 Assessing Hume's views
Next steps
References
Acknowledgements

 

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