The Dignity of Human Nature
The Dignity of Human Nature
Public interest in the death of David Hume centred around the philosophical tranquillity he had displayed in the last weeks of life. On the part of the narrowly pious there was evidenced a certain disappointment, on the one hand, that the philosopher had shown no signs of fear, and, on the other hand, that he had not taken to the consolations of religion. Adam Smith composed his famous letter in order to explain some of the controversial passages in My Own Life and, at the same time, to express unequivocally his own unstinted admiration of his friend, not merely as a philosopher, but as a man. There can also be little doubt that Smith was writing under deep emotional stress: he was genuinely troubled over Hume's determination to publish the Dialogues and was guiltily aware that his own prudent refusal to take any responsibility for them had caused his friend great disappointment.
Keywords: David Hume, tranquility, religion, Adam Smith, letter, passages, My Own Life, Dialogues
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