Overview

"Scottish philosopher David Hume has had an enormous influence on Western civilization. He is a prominent early figure among philosophers who seek a naturalistic grounding for moral norms. In science, his so-called ""problem of induction"" has no widely accepted solution. And his forceful critique of supernaturalism undermined Western confidence in orthodox Christianity. Although he addressed a wide range of topics, Hume's writings represent the outworking of an ambitious philosophical and scientific program to understand the world, especially human thought and action, in entirely naturalistic terms. Anderson summarizes the major points of Hume's thought and offers a critical assessment from a distinctively Reformed perspective. He shows that Hume's arguments, far from refuting the Christian worldview, indirectly support that worldview by exposing the self-defeating implications of naturalism."

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9781629952796

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Reviews

. . . Anderson presents an account of Hume that is accurate and comprehensive, yet concise. It is easy to follow. And it shows clearly where Hume went wrong, and how his errors illumine the biblical alternative. Hume fell into skepticism because he failed to think God's thoughts after him. -- John M. Frame Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando In a remarkably short space, Anderson gives a very strong overview of Hume that makes Hume's importance easy to understand. His assessment of the success of Hume's overall project and individual assertions is rich, biblically serious, consistently Reformed, and likely to edify readers regardless of their previous exposure to Hume's works. -- Bill Davis Professor of Philosophy, Covenant College; former member, Hume Society James Anderson's book on David Hume is a masterly summary and critique of one of the most important and influential philosophers in modern Western history. With clarity and insight, Anderson presents the overall structure of Hume's philosophical work, as well as devastating criticisms of Hume's epistemological project. -- K. Scott Oliphint Dean of Faculty, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

"""As James Anderson rightly argues, the reach and influence of Hume's philosophy is almost unparalleled in the modern West, not only standing as a salient and powerful articulation of empiricism in its own right but decisively influencing other great thinkers such as Kant, Hegel, and Marx. Anderson's introduction to Hume's thought is concise but not curtailed, straightforward but not simplistic. To my eyes the book's greatest value is in the second half, where Anderson carefully marshals a Reformed response to Hume. Weaving together arguments from Cornelius Van Til and Alvin Plantinga, he shows how Hume's arguments are won or lost in their axioms: naturalism is Hume's starting point, not his conclusion, and he sets the bar of knowledge so high that even his own philosophical principles fail to clear it. This is a lively volume, crackling with some memorable turns of phrase: I particularly enjoyed the description of logical positivism as 'decapitation as a cure for a headache, ' and the deft summary that although 'the modern conception of religion as a strictly private matter can be laid at the feet of Kant, ' yet those feet 'were shod by Hume.' There is much of profit here both for students new to Hume and for scholars wanting to explore a Reformed response to his influential philosophy. It is, I suspect, harder to write a short book on Hume than a long one, and harder to write for those new to Humean philosophy than for old hands. Anderson has accomplished this task with aplomb in this sturdy and very accessible gem of a volume.""--Christopher Watkin, Senior Lecturer in French Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ""James Anderson's book on David Hume is a masterly summary and critique of one of the most important and influential philosophers in modern Western history. With clarity and insight, Anderson presents the overall structure of Hume's philosophical work, as well as devastating criticisms of Hume's epistemological project. Once read and grasped, this book will provide the context and proper, Christian critique for anyone wanting to pursue further study in Hume, or in Western thought since Hume. I am glad to have Anderson's book in my library.""--K. Scott Oliphint, Dean of Faculty, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary ""James N. Anderson's David Hume is an uncommonly successful introduction, explanation, and assessment of the work of one of the most influential authors of the last three hundred years. Anderson's account of Hume's project, method, and principal conclusions is clear, accessible, and philosophically perceptive. In a remarkably short space, Anderson gives a very strong overview of Hume that makes Hume's importance easy to understand. His assessment of the success of Hume's overall project and individual assertions is rich, biblically serious, consistently Reformed, and likely to edify readers regardless of their previous exposure to Hume's works. Although Anderson sometimes extends his analysis further than space allows him to justify, the work on the whole is a model of Christian philosophical analysis. He summarizes Hume fairly, assesses Hume's success relative to both Hume's own assumptions and the truth of Scripture, and shows how Hume's work points toward important insights about the limits of fallen natural reason.""--Bill Davis, Professor of Philosophy, Covenant College; former member, Hume Society ""The skepticism of David Hume has frightened many who have sought to follow Christ. But James Anderson's book shows that it is the followers of Hume who should be frightened. Anderson presents an account of Hume that is accurate and comprehensive, yet concise. It is easy to follow. And it shows clearly where Hume went wrong, and how his errors illumine the biblical alternative. Hume fell into skepticism because he failed to think God's thoughts after him.""--John M. Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando"

Author Information

James N. Anderson (PhD, PhD, University of Edinburgh) is the Carl W. McMurray Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. A member of the Society of Christian Philosophers, he is also an ordained minister and the author of Paradox in Christian Theology and What's Your Worldview?

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