In David Hume's early philosophical works, the Treatise of Human Nature and the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Hume describes himself as an anatomist rather than as a painter of morals: that is, he analyzes how morality works rather than warmly recommending virtue to his readers. In his later writings, particularly the History of England, Hume shifts to the role of an earnest moral activist, championing secular and sociable values. Yet there is a crucial continuity between these two roles: the theory of belief that Hume develops as a philosopher, which emphasizes vividness over rational argument, supplies him with the techniques that he uses as a moralist.

Sider Jost, Jacob. David Hume, History Painter. ELH: English Literary History 81, no. 1 (2014): 143-65. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/539272

For more information on the published version, visit Project Muse's Website. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/539272 Copyright © 2014 The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Jacob Sider Jost is a professor of English at Dickinson College.

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