The concept of pivotal and influential literature is, bizarrely enough, paradoxical. In the expansion and growth of the original thought, the progress renders past observations obsolete and archaic. No matter how influential and innovative a neurological study from the 1970s was, it has now almost certainly been both overshadowed and undermined by the continued advancement it helped kickstart.
Scottish philosopher, David Hume is an author whose works have become so foundational that their ideas permeate later philosophical work to such a degree that their commentary is simply plain to a modern reader. His work, formulated in the 18th century, has become a precursor to any examination into the nature of human existence and morals, however newer concepts provide a more extensive degree of rhetorical thought. The question that arises from this relationship is ultimately, “Is Hume still worth reading?”, and is there still value in outdated writings?
An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals is one of three major writings by Hume that have defined philosophical thought. Published in 1777, it follows An Enquiry Concerning Human Nature for 29 years and although a connected work, differentiates itself from its predecessor through the ideas it provides. The Principles of Morals is also Hume’s personal favorite among his writings. To understand its value, however, one must look towards its content.
The Principles of Morals contains the logical framework for unadulterated Utilitarianism. If there is one major sentiment Hume reinforces, it is the idea that, what he deems, “utility” is the root of moral structures. Using this concept, Hume can expand a sentimentalist view of social cohesion although establishing the idea of social morals being fluid across cultures. When addressing more hardline basic ethical law, Hume totes the concept that sentiment, passion, are a cause. These schools of thought have reverberated into the basic thought behind a significant amount of modern thought, emblematic of Hume’s posthumous influence.
Despite the exceptional impact of his Hume, modern readers may still want to avoid the philosopher. His ideas are all formulated through a strict Empiricist form of thinking. Digesting this style of writing is integral to following his expansive train of thought yet this is no easy feat, culminating in one of the more difficult hurdles in approaching his writing. Hume’s backs up this logic with anecdotes from classical history which without the prerequisite knowledge, strips some of the nuance. Another taxing aspect of reading Hume is his affinity for a higher level of language, stating his diction to be of an intellectual would be an understatement.
The true reason that any reader might want to avoid Hume is because there are modern works that can do it better. Engaging with any capacity of modern philosophy allows readers to interact with Hume in a more structured environment, simply due to his lasting influence. Hume’s concepts are so engrained in following thought that by reading one author, you are also reading a part of his thought.
Hume remains one of the greatest thinkers of all time; his work is some of the most forward thinking of all. There is much to learn from his work but reaching the point to appreciating it takes significant work and is by no means simple. Noting the ability to consume lesser works, any impassioned reader can still power through and appreciate Hume for what he represents and contains and while any posthumous piece may be emblematic of it, nothing can compare to the absolute rhetorical strength of David Hume.
