'This book portrays a Hume of precipices and paradoxes: a fearless skeptic devoted to the theory and practice of political moderation and the broker of an innovative, unlikely alliance between modern philosophers and a prudent middle class, in support of commerce and the rule of law. While it will not convince everyone and will start a debate rather than ending it, this highly original, forcefully written, ingenious, and insightful book ranks immediately among the indispensable works on Hume's political thought. It establishes Merrill not only as one of the brightest Hume scholars of his generation but as a striking new voice in political theory.' Andrew Sabl, Yale University, Connecticut
Introduction; 1. Hume's Socratism; 2. Calling philosophy down from the heavens; 3. Turning to the human things; 4. Investigating morality and politics; 5. Hume's cultural revolution: the Essays, part 1; 6. The education of the honest gentlemen: the Essays, part 2; Epilogue.