Britannica AI Icon

Four Dissertations

work by Hume

Quick Summary

Four Dissertations is a collection of essays by Scottish philosopher David Hume, published in 1757. This work includes a rewriting of Book II of his earlier A Treatise of Human Nature and a notable essay on the natural history of religion.12

In Four Dissertations, Hume explores various philosophical topics. His essay "Of the Standard of Taste" delves into aesthetics, questioning the basis of aesthetic judgment and proposing an ideal of a "man of taste" whose perceptions are clear and imaginative. This work reflects Hume's broader philosophical project of examining human nature through empirical observation and skepticism.32

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.