Audiobooks by David Hume

The History of England Volume 2: King Henry III to King Richard III

The second volume of David Hume's classic survey of English history covers nearly 300 years (1200-1485) from the long reign of Henry III to the dramatic end of Richard III on Bosworth Field – he was the last Plantagenet, and the last king of England to die in battle. In these last centuries of the medieval period, which culminated in the 30 years of the Wars of the Roses, England was ruled by 11 monarchs of varying personalities and abilities. These included the powerful figures of Edward I (reigning 1272-1307) whose authority stabilised the monarchy after his conflicted father; and Edward III (reigning 1327-1377) who similarly asserted his authority on the land following the weak rule of his father, Edward II. After the disastrous reign of Richard II came the steady hand of Henry IV, (reigning 1399-1413), and the short but charismatic time of Henry V (reigning 1413-1422) with the highlight of Agincourt. This was followed by the 40-year reign of Henry VI (1422-1461/1470-71), a very different figure (characterised by Hume as ‘a weak prince, how gentle soever and innocent'). It led the way inexorably to the Wars of the Roses. In telling this all-action tale, Hume delves deeply into contemporary records and presents a considered, even sympathetic view, showing that many factors, not just personalities, resulted in dramatic consequences for the nation. In concluding each reign, he gives a character assessment of each individual who sat on the throne – at a time when strong rule was expected but not always delivered. Throughout, dissension was continually driven by conflicting pressures of political, familial, and commercial rivalries coloured and shaped by uncontrollable ambition. Harnessing a wealth of detail, yet strong on judgement and opinion, Hume tells the story of this period with pace and the rich literary style, features which make The History of England in its entirety admired by historians even in the 21st century.

David Hume (Author), Mark Elstob (Narrator)

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The History of England Volume 1: From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to King John

Though David Hume (1711-1776) is now best known for his role as a prominent philosopher of the Enlightenment rather than an historian, it was his momentous six-volume The History of England that really brought him national attention during his lifetime. It came out in instalments between 1754 and 1762 and proved an instant success. As it covers the ground from Julius Caesar to James II and the Glorious Revolution, it may not be so surprising that it is now overshadowed by A Treatise on Human Nature and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Surely its limited purview – taking English history only to 1688, virtually a century before Hume – would seem of limited interest to 21st century readers? This is not the case. Hume undertook widespread and careful research in his preparation for his History, as is evidenced by the voluminous references underpinning his information. Furthermore, he was relatively close to many key events in English history – not least the periods of the Stuarts, Cromwell and the Interregnum. This underpins the sense of authority which pervades his history – for Hume's purpose is not just to present the facts, but to dress them colourfully with character and opinion. For example, the account of each monarch closes with a vivid assessment of the reign and personality. In conjunction with Hume's lively, even challenging literary style, The History of England is entertaining and thoughtful as well as informative. This is shown from the opening book. Not surprisingly, this volume covers the greatest number of years; the increasing availability of historical record allows for far greater detail. But Hume is still fascinating as he discusses the passage of time from Julius Caesar, through the advent of William the Conqueror and the Normans, to the death of King John in 1216. Starting the story here sets up the listener for what is unquestionably a varied and exciting journey.

David Hume (Author), Mark Elstob (Narrator)

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Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary

David Hume (1711-1776) remains a major figure in British philosophy, particularly for two or three works, including A Treatise on Human Nature and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. But he was also a prolific essayist and historian. During his lifetime Essays Moral, Political and Literary went through a number of editions and collections, far outselling his philosophy. Now, the situation is reversed. But reading the essays today it is difficult to see why. Even after 250 years they continue to be intellectually stimulating, witty, engrossing, and, in many cases, retain a relevance to our times. The variety of topics alone is appealing. Presented here in the main collection are 47 essays, divided into two parts, though not organised in any specific thematic way. Among the political essays are: Of the First Principles of Government; Whether the British Government inclines more to Absolute Monarchy or to a Republic; Of the Liberty of the Press; Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth. Economic concerns are addressed: Of Money; Of Interest; Of Public Credit; Of Taxes. Hume opens the collection with Of the Delicacy of Taste and Passion, and also considered Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences before turning his attention to The Epicurean; The Stoic; The Platonist and The Sceptic. Not all the essays here were published in Hume's lifetime. Among eight in this category, some were withdrawn, some suppressed, and some simply didn't make print. These include Of Love and Marriage; Of Avarice; Of the Middle Station of Life; and even one which turned the mirror on his own activity: Of Essay-Writing. Though the essay form is not as popular as it once was, it can still sparkle, as can be seen here in the hands of a master.

David Hume (Author), Jonathan Keeble, TBD (Narrator)

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An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

David Hume's 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding' explores the foundations of human knowledge. Written with philosophical precision, it challenges conventional thinking on causation, scepticism, and the limits of human understanding. Hume delves into the nature of belief, empiricism, and the intricacies of human cognition. A seminal work in epistemology, this inquiry invites readers to critically examine the basis of their beliefs, making it a timeless exploration of the human mind and the nature of knowledge. Read in English, unabridged.

David Hume (Author), Eloise Fairfax (Narrator)

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An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

David Hume's 'An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals' delves into the foundations of moral philosophy. With analytical precision, Hume explores the nature of virtue, justice, and moral sentiment. This seminal work challenges traditional ethical theories, advocating for a sentiment-based approach. Hume's inquiry into the principles that govern human behavior offers profound insights into moral reasoning and continues to stimulate discourse on ethics, making it a timeless contribution to moral philosophy. Read in English, unabridged.

David Hume (Author), Eloise Fairfax (Narrator)

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Four Dissertations: A Natural History of Religion, Of the Passions, Of Tragedy, Of the Standard of T

David Hume (1711-1776) remains one of the most stimulating and entertaining writers in the English essay tradition. Though primarily known for long-form writings, he was adept at taking one subject and looking at it in a more concise but accessible manner. Hume devoted his life to study – across a wide range of his personal interests, reflecting his background in philosophy, history, economics, and many other subjects. This can be clearly seen in Four Dissertations (1757) and the topics he chose to consider. Of these, The Natural History of Religion is the most well-known and widely quoted. Hume's views, shaped by empiricism and scepticism, enables him to offer a perspective unusual for his age, though naturally it is embedded in the prevailing view ‘The whole frame of nature bespeaks an intelligent author'. Nevertheless, this does not restrict his thinking as he examines the psychological and sociological factors that shape religious sentiment. The other three Dissertations are no less fascinating. Fittingly, in Of The Passions, Hume delves into the complex realm of human emotions. Investigating the nature of desire, love, fear, and more, he presents a wide-ranging study of how passions influence our actions and shape our experiences. Of Tragedy, explores the aesthetics of dramatic art. Hume looks into the power of tragedy to elicit a passionate response and provoke contemplation. He examines the mechanisms by which tragedies captivate audiences and evoke a range of sentiments, shedding light on the profound impact of art on human consciousness. In Of the Standard of Taste, Hume takes the viewpoint of the beholder, rather than the object. Declaring ‘We are apt to call barbarous whatever departs widely from our own taste and apprehension,' he proposes that two elements, sentiment and critical faculty form a major part in decisions on taste. For “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.” But such a subjective view cannot deny a certain consensus on beauty, which leads Hume to examine the matter of aesthetics in the light of judgements of established critics. This recording concludes with Hume's two short autobiographies, written at different times in his life and with differing characteristics. The first, A Kind of Life (1734) is a letter written to a doctor and the second, My Own Life (1776) was written shortly before his death.

David Hume (Author), Jonathan Keeble (Narrator)

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The Long and the Short of It: A BBC History of Ireland

Comedian Tim McGarry and Orangeman Dr David Hume investigate Irish history from different perspectives 'We're basically the Little and Large of Irish history' Tim McGarry Tim McGarry and Dr David Hume couldn't be less alike. Tim's a six-foot-four funnyman from Belfast, while David's a vertically challenged historian from Ballycarry. But although they disagree about almost everything, they have a great rapport and a passionate interest in their native island - and in this fascinating series, they join forces for some good-natured, intelligent debate about Irish history, politics and culture. Travelling the length and breadth of Éire and Northern Ireland, they visit important historical sites, gain new insights into pivotal stories and people, and interview a wide range of experts to give listeners the long and the short of it. Mixed in with the discussions are humorous sketches, bringing the history alive and providing light relief. Over 41 episodes, Tim and David lock horns and trade blows over controversial topics including the 1798 Rebellion, the Great Famine, the Battle of the Boyne, the birth of the Orange Order, the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, and Home Rule. They also consider Ulster heroine Mary McCracken, ask whether renowned figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Edward Carson and James Craig were heroes or villains, and wonder whether the Vikings and Oliver Cromwell were really that bad. Plus, in the 2-part special The Long and the Short of Christmas, the duo unite to take a light-hearted but scholarly look at the history of the festive season, from the birth of Jesus to modern times. Winner of the Gold Award for Specialist Speech Programme at the 2021 IMRO Radio Awards, this wry, engaging and eye-opening series is full of jokes, facts, opinions - and arguments. Irish history has never been so much fun! Production credits Presented by Tim McGarry and Dr David Hume Produced by Zoe Robinson First broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Radio Foyle on 20 July-10 August 2014 (Series 1), 19 July-23 August 2015 (Series 2), 6 November-4 December 2016 (Series 3), 3 December 2017-7 January 2018 (Series 4), 9 May-13 June 2020 (Series 5), 24-25 December 2020 (The Long and the Short of Christmas), 24 April-29 May 2021 (Series 6), 27 August-1 October 2022 (Series 7). © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

David Hume, Tim Mcgarry (Author), David Hume, Tim Mcgarry, Various (Narrator)

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Blind Without Barriers

Sent blind soon after birth David Hume stubbornly refused to live the limited life well-meaning elders and social norms expected. 'I do not wake in the morning and regret I'm blind. No, I wake and look to another win in a busy life.' To date, that encompasses years in a blind institute, two marriages, grieving for two outstanding wives, founding recruiting firms, devising marketing techniques, facing business collapse, sailing ocean races and through much of it, being the lead singer in popular bands. If you enjoy a short biography that inspires, saddens, cheers and sticks in your memory, then don't put aside Blind Without Barriers.

David Hume, Peter R Murray (Author), Robert De Graaw (Narrator)

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[Spanish] - Diálogos sobre Religión Natural

'Diálogos sobre religión natural' es una obra del filósofo escocés David Hume, publicada póstumamente en 1779. En esta obra, Hume utiliza el formato de un diálogo filosófico para explorar las preguntas fundamentales sobre la existencia y naturaleza de Dios. En los diálogos, los personajes discuten si la existencia de Dios puede ser probada a través de la razón o la evidencia empírica, y si el mal en el mundo es compatible con la existencia de un Dios todo-poderoso y benevolente. Hume argumenta que no podemos demostrar la existencia de Dios de manera concluyente, y que la idea de Dios es más bien un producto de nuestra imaginación. La obra ha sido muy influyente en la filosofía de la religión, y ha sido objeto de numerosas interpretaciones y debates a lo largo de los años. Los 'Diálogos sobre religión natural' se consideran una de las obras más importantes de Hume, y un clásico de la literatura filosófica.

David Hume (Author), Jorge Ramírez (Narrator)

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[Spanish] - El Tratado de la Naturaleza Humana

'El Tratado de la Naturaleza Humana' es una obra filosófica escrita por el escocés David Hume en 1739-1740. Esta obra es considerada una de las más importantes en la historia de la filosofía occidental, ya que Hume plantea una crítica radical a la idea de que la razón humana es capaz de conocer la realidad tal y como es en sí misma. El libro está dividido en tres volúmenes: el primero trata sobre la percepción, el segundo sobre la pasión y el tercero sobre la moral. Hume argumenta que todas las ideas y conocimientos que tenemos provienen de la experiencia, y que no podemos conocer nada que esté más allá de nuestras propias percepciones. Además, sostiene que la moralidad no puede ser deducida a partir de la razón, sino que es el resultado de nuestras emociones y sentimientos. A través de su análisis, Hume busca demostrar que la razón humana es limitada y que nuestras creencias y acciones están guiadas por nuestras emociones y pasiones. Esta obra tuvo una gran influencia en la filosofía posterior, y es considerada una de las obras más importantes del empirismo y del escepticismo moderno.

David Hume (Author), Jorge Ramírez (Narrator)

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An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding' is a philosophical work written by David Hume in the 18th century. It is one of the most influential works in Western philosophy and is considered a cornerstone of modern empiricism and skepticism. In this book, Hume investigates the nature and limits of human knowledge, arguing that all knowledge is based on our experiences and observations of the world. He asserts that we cannot know anything beyond what we have observed or experienced, and that there is no rational basis for many of the beliefs that we hold. Hume's philosophy is deeply skeptical, and he questions many of the traditional ideas of Western philosophy, including causation, induction, and the existence of God. He argues that our beliefs in these concepts are not based on reason, but rather on habit or custom, and that they cannot be rationally justified. Hume also explores the nature of morality and human nature, arguing that moral judgments are based on sentiment rather than reason, and that human beings are fundamentally motivated by self-interest rather than by any innate moral principles. Overall, 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding' is a profound and influential work that challenges many of the fundamental assumptions of Western philosophy. It is notable for its skepticism and empiricism, and for its rejection of many traditional metaphysical and theological concepts.

David Hume (Author), Liam Johnson (Narrator)

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A Treatise of Human Nature

A Treatise of Human Nature is a philosophical work written by the Scottish philosopher David Hume and published in three volumes between 1739 and 1740. The book explores a wide range of philosophical topics, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics, and it is considered one of the most influential works in the history of philosophy. Hume's central thesis is that all human knowledge is ultimately derived from sensory experience, and that there is no inherent connection between cause and effect. He argues that our beliefs about cause and effect are based on custom and habit, rather than any rational or logical foundation. This leads him to challenge many traditional metaphysical and religious beliefs, including the existence of God and the immortality of the soul. Hume's skeptical approach to knowledge and causality is also applied to ethics and aesthetics. He argues that moral judgments and aesthetic preferences are not based on reason, but rather on subjective feelings and emotions. This leads him to reject the idea of objective moral and aesthetic standards, and to propose a theory of moral and aesthetic relativism. Despite its controversial and radical views, A Treatise of Human Nature is widely regarded as a masterpiece of philosophical writing, and has had a profound influence on subsequent philosophical thought.

David Hume (Author), Liam Johnson (Narrator)

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