In the posthumously published Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, the Enlightenment philosopher David Hume attacked many of the traditional arguments for the existence of God, expressing the belief 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 conclusive evidence...

Reprinted from the original edition in three volumes and edited, with an analytical index, by L. A. Selby-Bigge. Revised by P. H. Nidditch.

Hume's Natural History of Religion may, with his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion be held to mark the beginning of the Philosophy of Religion. Not so clearly a text illustrating modern technology--indeed in its own day it was regarded as skeptical and subversive--the Natural History is remarkably illustrative of the development of religious thought and is a brilliant philosophical contribution to the interpretation of religion. The editor of this reprint discusses Hume's purpose in writing the Natural History and assesses its influence at the present day.

A superb classroom edition with a detailed introduction and extensive notes by Anthony Flew, author of Hume's Philosophy of Belief. This also includes Hume's autobiography, My Own Life; Hume's An abstract of A Treatise of Human Nature; the key passage Why a Cause is Always Necessary from Hume's Treatise; three letters by Hume, and the famous letter on Hume's death by Adam Smith.

Humankind has pondered many mysteries, but few more enticing than the existence of a divine creator who is said to have set the universe in motion. Imitating the well-known style of Platonic dialogues, the relentless inquirer and empiricist David Hume assembles a group to discuss the existence of God, his divine nature, his attributes, and the point of his creation. How do we come to have knowledge of God? Who has the burden of proof with respect to these matters of intense religious significance, and what sort of proof might gain universal assent? Can one argue from the orderliness of the...

"Nothing is more curiously enquired after . . . than the causes of every phenomenon. . . . We] push on our enquiries, till we arrive at the original and ultimate principle. . . . This is our aim in all our studies and reflections."

These words sum up David Hume's plan: To discover the fundamental principles at work in the nature and extent of human knowledge, and in so doing to gain a clearer understanding of our perception, ideas (e.g. of cause and effect), impressions, beliefs, passions, virtues, and vices. Hume's piercing critique and relentless analysis make this truly one of the...

In order to recruit, motivate and retain an effective workforce, organizations must have an appropriate reward strategy. This practical and accessible text discusses reward management policies and strategies and examines the key components of the total remuneration package.
The author evaluates the effectiveness of various elements of the renumeration package and relates this to theories of motivation associated with the individual and organizational performance. All aspects of reward management are discussed, including: * Performance related pay, equal pay and pay structures * Pension...

This is the only complete and up-to-date collection of Hume's writings on religion, in an accessible classroom edition. Includes The Natural History of Religion, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Of the Immortality of the Soul, Of Suicide, Of Superstition and Enthusiasm, A Note on the Profession of Priest, and two revealing letters. "Overall, this book performs two special services. First, it makes readily available the full range of Hume's writings on religion. Second, its thorough notes explain references students are likely to find obscure and points they are likely to find puzzling."...