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Political Science History & Theory

David Hume's Political Theory

Law, Commerce and the Constitution of Government

by (author) Neil McArthur

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Dec 2007
Category
History & Theory, Political, Modern
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802093356
    Publish Date
    Sep 2007
    List Price
    $55.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442638648
    Publish Date
    Dec 2007
    List Price
    $30.95

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Description

David Hume (1711-1776) is perhaps best known for his treatises on problems of epistemology, skepticism, and causation. A less familiar side of his intellectual output is his work on legal and political theory. David Hume's Political Theory brings together Hume's diverse writings on law and government, collected and examined with a view to revealing the philosopher's coherent and persuasive theory of politics.

Through close textual analysis, Neil McArthur suggests that the key to Hume's political theory lies in its distinction between barbarous and civilized government. Throughout the study, the author explores Hume's argument that a society's progress from barbarism to civilization depends on the legal and political system by which it is governed. Ultimately, McArthur demonstrates that the skepticism apparent in much of Hume's work does not necessarily tie him to a strict conservative ideology; rather, Hume's political theory is seen to emphasize many liberal virtues as well.

Based on a new conception of Hume's political philosophy, this is a groundbreaking work and a welcome addition to the existing literature.

About the author

Neil McArthur is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba. He is a regular contributor to VICE and the author of David Hume's Political Theory.

Neil McArthur's profile page

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