Essays

"Essays" by David Hume is a gathering of philosophical writings from the 1700s, where Hume examines subjects like politics, personal preferences, and the structure of government, showing his interest in moral and political thought. The collection begins by looking into Hume's life, discussing his upbringing, schooling, and the challenges he overcame before becoming a well-known philosopher. An introductory biography prepares the reader to understand Hume's viewpoints, recounting his early life and his choice to pursue writing instead of law, as well as his time in France, during which he started working on important books like his "Treatise of Human Nature." The first essay then shares Hume's ideas on the "finer points of taste and emotion," looking at how being sensitive to beauty and hardships influences human life, stressing that although great sensitivity can bring both bigger joys and sorrows, it is better to develop a love for the arts to keep one's emotions in check.