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Philosophers in 90 Minutes #10
שעה קלה עם יום
יום מוטט את הפילוסופיה: דבר אינו קיים אלה כשהוא נקלט בחושינו. רק אני קיים - העולם אינו אלה חלק מתודעתי. דברים אלה לא צריכים למנוע מאתנו להמשיך ולהתנהג כפי שנהגנו עד כה בידיעה שהעולם נותר על מקומו, כותב פול סטראצ´רן, שכן משנתו של יום מתייחסת למצב הידע שלנו על העולם, עולם שבו הדת והמדע אינם ודאיים. בסגנון משעשע וקריא, מובן ומרתק כמעט לכל קורא, מביאה הסדרה "שעה קלה עם" את קורות חייהם ומשנתם של גדולי ההוגים, תוך התייחסות לאירועי תקופתם ולדעות שרווחו בה. כל ספר כולל גם מבחר ציטוטים, רשימה ביבליוגרפית וכרונולוגיות הממקמות את הוגה הדעות במסגרת תקופתו ובמסגרת הרחבה יותר של הפילוסופיה. "הספרים האלה כתובים היטב, בהירים ומעודכנים, קלילים ושנונים כאחד... אני מוצא שקשה להניחם מהיד". ריצ´ארד ברנסטין, ניו-יורק טיימס
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 1999
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About the author
Paul Strathern
160 books543 followersPaul Strathern (born 1940) is a English writer and academic. He was born in London, and studied at Trinity College, Dublin, after which he served in the Merchant Navy over a period of two years. He then lived on a Greek island. In 1966 he travelled overland to India and the Himalayas. His novel A Season in Abyssinia won a Somerset Maugham Award in 1972.
Besides five novels, he has also written numerous books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics.
Besides five novels, he has also written numerous books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics.
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January 4, 2024
در کتاب آشنایی با هیوم ، پل استراترن کوشیده زندگی و اندیشه های دیوید هیوم ، فیسلوف سرشناس اسکاتلندی را به صورت کوتاه و بسیار مختصر بررسی کند .
در ستایش دیوید هیوم
دیوید هیوم فیلسوف و نظریه پردازسرشناس اسکاتلندی و یکی از بزرگترین متفکران دوران روشنگری و یکی از تأثیرگذارترین فیلسوفان تاریخ غرب بود که در قرن 18 زندگی می کرد. تجربه گرایی یعنی کسب دانش از طریق تجربه ، شک گرایی ، شک به همه چیز حتی وجود خودمان و نقد سخت دین و غیر منطقی و ابزار کنترل دانستن آن را می توان مهم ترین اندیشه و عقاید او دانست .
تجربه گرایی و شک گرایی از نگاه هیوم
هیوم، تجربه را به دو نوع تجربه های حسی یعنی تجربه های مستقیم ما از جهان مانند دیدن، شنیدن، بوییدن، چشیدن و لمس کردن و تجربه های ذهنی مانند احساسات، افکار و خاطرات تقسیم می کند . از نگاه او همه دانش ما از این دو نوع تجربه مشتق می شود. او استدلال می کند که ما نمی توانیم هیچ چیز را بدون تجربه بفهمیم. او همچنین معتقد است که ما نمی توانیم هیچ گونه ذات یا جوهر ذاتی برای واقعیت بشناسیم و شناخت ما از واقعیت تنها به تجربه های ما از آن ها محدود می شود.
هیوم استدلال می کند که ما نمی توانیم با قطعیت در مورد هیچ چیز، حتی وجود خودمان، مطمئن باشیم. او معتقد است که همه دانش ما نسبی است و فقط به تجربه ما محدود می شود. بنابراین نمی توان از تجربه خود فراتر رفت یعنی نمی توان با قطعیت در مورد وجود خدا، جهان خارج، یا حتی وجود خود مطمئن بود و تنها می توان تجربه های خود را از جهان مشاهده کرد . این گونه شک گرایی، انسان را وادار می سازد تا باورهای خود را با دقت بیشتری بررسی کند . بنابراین شک گرایی هیوم بسیار متفاوت از شک دکارت بوده و تفاوت های اساسی با آن دارد
شوربختانه در کتاب کوتاه استراترن ، هیچ خبری از اندیشه های مهم و تاثیر گذار هیوم نیست. او باز هم شرح زندگی هیوم را به بیان اندیشه های او ترجیح داده . از این روکتاب او را بیشتر باید آشنایی با زندگی هیوم و نه اندیشه های او دانست .
در ستایش دیوید هیوم
دیوید هیوم فیلسوف و نظریه پردازسرشناس اسکاتلندی و یکی از بزرگترین متفکران دوران روشنگری و یکی از تأثیرگذارترین فیلسوفان تاریخ غرب بود که در قرن 18 زندگی می کرد. تجربه گرایی یعنی کسب دانش از طریق تجربه ، شک گرایی ، شک به همه چیز حتی وجود خودمان و نقد سخت دین و غیر منطقی و ابزار کنترل دانستن آن را می توان مهم ترین اندیشه و عقاید او دانست .
تجربه گرایی و شک گرایی از نگاه هیوم
هیوم، تجربه را به دو نوع تجربه های حسی یعنی تجربه های مستقیم ما از جهان مانند دیدن، شنیدن، بوییدن، چشیدن و لمس کردن و تجربه های ذهنی مانند احساسات، افکار و خاطرات تقسیم می کند . از نگاه او همه دانش ما از این دو نوع تجربه مشتق می شود. او استدلال می کند که ما نمی توانیم هیچ چیز را بدون تجربه بفهمیم. او همچنین معتقد است که ما نمی توانیم هیچ گونه ذات یا جوهر ذاتی برای واقعیت بشناسیم و شناخت ما از واقعیت تنها به تجربه های ما از آن ها محدود می شود.
هیوم استدلال می کند که ما نمی توانیم با قطعیت در مورد هیچ چیز، حتی وجود خودمان، مطمئن باشیم. او معتقد است که همه دانش ما نسبی است و فقط به تجربه ما محدود می شود. بنابراین نمی توان از تجربه خود فراتر رفت یعنی نمی توان با قطعیت در مورد وجود خدا، جهان خارج، یا حتی وجود خود مطمئن بود و تنها می توان تجربه های خود را از جهان مشاهده کرد . این گونه شک گرایی، انسان را وادار می سازد تا باورهای خود را با دقت بیشتری بررسی کند . بنابراین شک گرایی هیوم بسیار متفاوت از شک دکارت بوده و تفاوت های اساسی با آن دارد
شوربختانه در کتاب کوتاه استراترن ، هیچ خبری از اندیشه های مهم و تاثیر گذار هیوم نیست. او باز هم شرح زندگی هیوم را به بیان اندیشه های او ترجیح داده . از این روکتاب او را بیشتر باید آشنایی با زندگی هیوم و نه اندیشه های او دانست .
October 19, 2016
من همیشه هیوم رو فردی فربه و خوش مشرب تصور می کردم - که در واقع هم این طور بوده - اما تازه فهمیدم این خوش مشربی، پرده ای بوده بر مشکلات روحی و عصبی پنهانش که همیشه آزارش میدادن و با تمام کوشش سعی می کرده مخفی شون کنه. یک بار که دچار تب و هذیان شده بود، همه ی چیزهایی که سعی می کرد سرکوب شون کنه فوران کردن: با وحشت از خدا و دوزخ و عذاب ابدی حرف می زد، و سعی کرد خودش رو توی چاه بیندازه و بکشه.
April 30, 2024
This snappy introduction to Hume is my favorite of the nearly dozen volumes I’ve read in the “In 90 Minutes” series. Whether this is because Hume is a more colorful character than your average philosopher, because his work is more comprehensible, or because I’ve read more Hume than I have of the other philosophers in the series I can’t say. Strathern early on makes the claim that Hume is more comprehensible than any of the philosophers who came before him or followed after, writing:
Hume is the only philosopher whose ideas remain plausible to us today.
From my admittedly limited reading of philosophical works, I must say I don’t disagree.
As with all the works in this series, Strathern gives us a mix of biography and philosophy. He goes into some detail of how Hume was the first philosopher to publicly admit to not believing in God, a fact that significantly impacted his philosophy. He also noted that Hume was far better known in his lifetime as a historian than a philosopher, having written his monumental, six volume History of England that remained the standard text for over a century.
As in all the books I’ve read in this series, Strathern displays an amusing wit, as shown in this passage:
A year after Hume published his History of England he was honored by having all his works place on the Roman Catholic Index of Banned Books. In the centuries before our era, this accolade was very similar to the Nobel Prize. It concentrated on genuine scientific, humanitarian, and literary achievements.
Hume In 90 Minutes does a fine job of introducing the philosopher and his work — definitely worth the hour and a half investment.
Hume is the only philosopher whose ideas remain plausible to us today.
From my admittedly limited reading of philosophical works, I must say I don’t disagree.
As with all the works in this series, Strathern gives us a mix of biography and philosophy. He goes into some detail of how Hume was the first philosopher to publicly admit to not believing in God, a fact that significantly impacted his philosophy. He also noted that Hume was far better known in his lifetime as a historian than a philosopher, having written his monumental, six volume History of England that remained the standard text for over a century.
As in all the books I’ve read in this series, Strathern displays an amusing wit, as shown in this passage:
A year after Hume published his History of England he was honored by having all his works place on the Roman Catholic Index of Banned Books. In the centuries before our era, this accolade was very similar to the Nobel Prize. It concentrated on genuine scientific, humanitarian, and literary achievements.
Hume In 90 Minutes does a fine job of introducing the philosopher and his work — definitely worth the hour and a half investment.
May 16, 2025
Have you ever started a book hoping for a quick, insightful introduction to a big thinker, only to feel like you got the CliffsNotes version—but not a particularly good one? The idea of digesting complex philosophical ideas in just 90 minutes is appealing. Who wouldn’t want to get a neat little crash course without wading through dense, impenetrable texts?
But unfortunately, this book was just plain scattered, jumping from idea to idea without much flow or coherence. At times, I wasn’t sure if I was reading about Hume’s philosophy, his life, or Strathern’s own commentary. This lack of focus made it hard to absorb anything meaningful. If the goal was to give readers a solid introduction to Hume, I think it missed the mark because I didn’t walk away feeling like I’d learned much of anything.
Throughout the book, Strathern tries to be witty and irreverent, but it often felt forced, as if he were trying too hard to be the cool teacher who makes philosophy “fun.” Don’t get me wrong, I love humor in books, especially when tackling something heavy like philosophy. But here, the jokes didn’t always land, and instead of making Hume’s ideas feel more approachable, they came off as dismissive. It felt less like Strathern respected Hume’s genius and more like he was rushing to wrap things up and move on.
In the end, Hume in 90 Minutes felt more like a missed opportunity than anything else. Hume’s ideas are rich, complex, and worth exploring deeply, even if it takes a little more time and effort. This book might save you time, but at the cost of losing what makes Hume so fascinating in the first place. If you’re genuinely curious about Hume, I’d recommend looking elsewhere—there are plenty of better introductions out there that respect his brilliance while still being approachable.
But unfortunately, this book was just plain scattered, jumping from idea to idea without much flow or coherence. At times, I wasn’t sure if I was reading about Hume’s philosophy, his life, or Strathern’s own commentary. This lack of focus made it hard to absorb anything meaningful. If the goal was to give readers a solid introduction to Hume, I think it missed the mark because I didn’t walk away feeling like I’d learned much of anything.
Throughout the book, Strathern tries to be witty and irreverent, but it often felt forced, as if he were trying too hard to be the cool teacher who makes philosophy “fun.” Don’t get me wrong, I love humor in books, especially when tackling something heavy like philosophy. But here, the jokes didn’t always land, and instead of making Hume’s ideas feel more approachable, they came off as dismissive. It felt less like Strathern respected Hume’s genius and more like he was rushing to wrap things up and move on.
In the end, Hume in 90 Minutes felt more like a missed opportunity than anything else. Hume’s ideas are rich, complex, and worth exploring deeply, even if it takes a little more time and effort. This book might save you time, but at the cost of losing what makes Hume so fascinating in the first place. If you’re genuinely curious about Hume, I’d recommend looking elsewhere—there are plenty of better introductions out there that respect his brilliance while still being approachable.
September 2, 2014
Another brisk, cursory look into the life and works of an esteemed philosophical mind. Strathern's 90-minute take on Hume is a respectful primer for the man who made atheism fashionable for intellectuals and also helped tear apart his contemporary's conceptions of philosophy, ushering in what we consider the modern era of ontological thought. These audiobooks have been fun and made for a nice refresher for the hardly operable understanding of philosophy I had left over from a couple of college courses I took in my younger and more vulnerable years, but I'll probably check out Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy the next time I feel like inching my way closer to maybe one day (but probably never) actually reading some philosophy.
October 8, 2022
I got this free as part of my audible membership. A very nice easy read. Humes's observations of the Austrians nearly killed me. Another: Boswell at Humes's death bead asks if it is possible there is life after death, to which he replied "it is possible a coal put on fire will not burn"-this had me weeping.
April 11, 2016
معرفی مختصر و مفید از زنگانی هیوم. کتاب مقدمه ی خوبی دارد که جریان فکری فلسفه را تا به هیوم مورد بررسی قرار می دهد و بعد از آن زندگانی یوم را به تصویر می کشد. ایراد کتاب این است که به هیچ وجه وارد فضای فکری هیوم نمی شود و صحبتی از اندیشه ها و آراء این فیلسوف به میان نمی آورد.
September 1, 2018
This, like the book on Descartes, contains more information on the life of the philosopher than on his ideas. It also contains quite a lot of Mr Strathern's facetious remarks, which I personally don't need!!
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November 15, 2018نوشتهٔ زیر حاوی مواردی از کتاب هست که برام جالب بود (تاثیر فلاسفه بر هم، ریشههای فکری ، روح زمانه و شرایط اقتصادی و ..) و برای تمرکز بیشتر موقع خوندن کتاب نوشته شده و ممکنه کتاب رو اسپویل کنه.
#هیوم [...] تمام توجهش را معطوف این کرد که موضع تجربهگرایانه را به نتیجهٔ منطقی اش برساند. این دیدگاه، اصالت من یا خودباوری نام دارد. تنها من وجود دارم(Solipsism)و جهان چیزی جز بخشی از آگاهی من نیست.
#در واقع آنچه هیوم مطرح ساخت وضع معرفت ما درباره جهان بود.
#هیوم در کتاب «رساله درباره طبیعت انسانی» سعی کرد اصول پایه شناخت بشری را تعریف کند. چگونه مطلبی را به یقین میدانیم؟ و دقیقا چه چیز است که به یقین میدانیم؟ او در پاسخ به این سوالات، ادامهدهنده سنت تجربهگرایی شد، با این عقیده که تمامی شناخت ما در نهایت بر تجربه استوار است. از دید هیوم تجربه از ادراکات تشکیل میشود و ادراکات بر دو نوعاند. "آن ادراکاتی که بیشترین قوت و شدت را دارند وارد [ذهن] میشوند میتوانیم تأثرات (Impression)بنامیم؛ و منظور من از این نام، همه احساسات، انفعالات و عواطف است بهگونهای که اول بار در نفس ظاهر میشوند. مقصود من از تصورات(Ideas، صورتهای ذهنی خفیف اینها [تأثرات] در اندیشه و تعقل است."
#فرایندی از تحول با دکارت آغاز شده و با خیزش رمان دروننگرانه به پیش رفته بود. اروپا شاهد ظهور خودآگاهی گسترده بود: تولد فردیتی که خود، بهگونهای مستقل، اندیشه میکرد و تصمیم میگرفت. دلبستگی روسو به خودِ فردگرایی، نمود و ظهور آن و خود-پرورانی آن بود. هیوم، به حالت تفکر مستقل و مشاهده دنیا از دریچهٔ چشمی مبرّا از پیشفرضها تعلق خاطر داشت. چیزی به نام «نفس» وجود ندارد، کسی تا به حال «ذهن» را ادراک نکرده، ما علیت یا خدا را تجربه نمیکنیم. از سوی دیگر روسو فلسفهٔ منسجمی نیافرید؛ اما همواره به خاطر اندیشههای پرطنینی مانند «وحشی نجیب» و گفتههایی نظیر «انسان آزاد به دنیا آمده اما همهجا در زنجیر است.»، در یادها خواهد ماند.
# فقط یک مانع وجود دارد. وقتی که فلسفه هیوم را مطالعه میکنیم، تشخیص میدهیم که مثل آن فلسفه فکر م��کنیم اما میدانیم که مثل آن زندگی نمیکنیم!
#اندیشههای هیوم تأثیر عمیقی بر یکی از جریانهای مهم فلسفی در اوایل قرن بیستم، به نام پوزیتیویست منطقی بر جا نهاد. این مکتب، محصول گروهی از فیلسوفان، دانشمندان و ریاضی دانان بود که، به طور مرتب ، در کافههای وین یکدیگر را ملاقات میکردند و به حلقه وین معروف شدند. طبق اصول اساسی آنها، دو گزاره معنادار وجود دارد. نوع اول شامل گزاره های منطق و ریاضیات محض است. اینها ضرورتا صادقاند؛ زیرا همانگویانه (معنای یک مفهوم در مفهومی که به آن اشاره میکند مندرج است. ) نوع دوم، شامل امور واقع است که، برخلاف قبل، ناظر به دنیای تجربی است. (که البته این اصول پایهای نیز در مقوله مزخرفات مابعدالطبیعی قرار میگیرند! چون نه از نظر منطقی ضروریاند نه از طریق تجربه قابل اثبات!!)
+ سوای اطلاعاتی که مستند هستن و تو کتابهای فیلسوف و تاریخ نوشته شده میشه پیدا کرد، بعضی جاها جهتگیری و جانبداری استراترن مشخص و گاهی اذیت کنندست. پیشنهاد میکنم سری یه صفحه فیلسوف تو دانشنامه استنفورد یا حتی ویکیپدیا بزنید.
#هیوم [...] تمام توجهش را معطوف این کرد که موضع تجربهگرایانه را به نتیجهٔ منطقی اش برساند. این دیدگاه، اصالت من یا خودباوری نام دارد. تنها من وجود دارم(Solipsism)و جهان چیزی جز بخشی از آگاهی من نیست.
#در واقع آنچه هیوم مطرح ساخت وضع معرفت ما درباره جهان بود.
#هیوم در کتاب «رساله درباره طبیعت انسانی» سعی کرد اصول پایه شناخت بشری را تعریف کند. چگونه مطلبی را به یقین میدانیم؟ و دقیقا چه چیز است که به یقین میدانیم؟ او در پاسخ به این سوالات، ادامهدهنده سنت تجربهگرایی شد، با این عقیده که تمامی شناخت ما در نهایت بر تجربه استوار است. از دید هیوم تجربه از ادراکات تشکیل میشود و ادراکات بر دو نوعاند. "آن ادراکاتی که بیشترین قوت و شدت را دارند وارد [ذهن] میشوند میتوانیم تأثرات (Impression)بنامیم؛ و منظور من از این نام، همه احساسات، انفعالات و عواطف است بهگونهای که اول بار در نفس ظاهر میشوند. مقصود من از تصورات(Ideas، صورتهای ذهنی خفیف اینها [تأثرات] در اندیشه و تعقل است."
#فرایندی از تحول با دکارت آغاز شده و با خیزش رمان دروننگرانه به پیش رفته بود. اروپا شاهد ظهور خودآگاهی گسترده بود: تولد فردیتی که خود، بهگونهای مستقل، اندیشه میکرد و تصمیم میگرفت. دلبستگی روسو به خودِ فردگرایی، نمود و ظهور آن و خود-پرورانی آن بود. هیوم، به حالت تفکر مستقل و مشاهده دنیا از دریچهٔ چشمی مبرّا از پیشفرضها تعلق خاطر داشت. چیزی به نام «نفس» وجود ندارد، کسی تا به حال «ذهن» را ادراک نکرده، ما علیت یا خدا را تجربه نمیکنیم. از سوی دیگر روسو فلسفهٔ منسجمی نیافرید؛ اما همواره به خاطر اندیشههای پرطنینی مانند «وحشی نجیب» و گفتههایی نظیر «انسان آزاد به دنیا آمده اما همهجا در زنجیر است.»، در یادها خواهد ماند.
# فقط یک مانع وجود دارد. وقتی که فلسفه هیوم را مطالعه میکنیم، تشخیص میدهیم که مثل آن فلسفه فکر م��کنیم اما میدانیم که مثل آن زندگی نمیکنیم!
#اندیشههای هیوم تأثیر عمیقی بر یکی از جریانهای مهم فلسفی در اوایل قرن بیستم، به نام پوزیتیویست منطقی بر جا نهاد. این مکتب، محصول گروهی از فیلسوفان، دانشمندان و ریاضی دانان بود که، به طور مرتب ، در کافههای وین یکدیگر را ملاقات میکردند و به حلقه وین معروف شدند. طبق اصول اساسی آنها، دو گزاره معنادار وجود دارد. نوع اول شامل گزاره های منطق و ریاضیات محض است. اینها ضرورتا صادقاند؛ زیرا همانگویانه (معنای یک مفهوم در مفهومی که به آن اشاره میکند مندرج است. ) نوع دوم، شامل امور واقع است که، برخلاف قبل، ناظر به دنیای تجربی است. (که البته این اصول پایهای نیز در مقوله مزخرفات مابعدالطبیعی قرار میگیرند! چون نه از نظر منطقی ضروریاند نه از طریق تجربه قابل اثبات!!)
+ سوای اطلاعاتی که مستند هستن و تو کتابهای فیلسوف و تاریخ نوشته شده میشه پیدا کرد، بعضی جاها جهتگیری و جانبداری استراترن مشخص و گاهی اذیت کنندست. پیشنهاد میکنم سری یه صفحه فیلسوف تو دانشنامه استنفورد یا حتی ویکیپدیا بزنید.
September 3, 2022
I enjoy the humor in the 90 minute biographies.
August 14, 2017
Mas simple que el mecanismo causal de un botijo.
May 6, 2017
Thus was pleasant and entertaining. I've given up on the series. I ordered some through interlibrary loan. I've been listening to them only because I ordered them. There may be one more thst hasn't come in yet. After that I don't plan to listen to any more. I find them to be distasteful.
July 26, 2024
I am in the occasional habit of reading volumes from the 90 Minutes series. I didn't finish this one. It's nothing to do with the philosopher David Hume; it's because the author's snide, sarcastic jibes at beliefs and schools of philosophy he doesn't support finally irritated me too much. (The frequent jokes about how fat and clumsy Hume was were not so much offensive as irrelevant.)
Besides, looking through the book I find that author Strathern doesn't even explicate Hume's philosophy in as much depth as my Philosophy 101 prof did twenty-two years ago. I'll find a better introduction to Hume than this.
Besides, looking through the book I find that author Strathern doesn't even explicate Hume's philosophy in as much depth as my Philosophy 101 prof did twenty-two years ago. I'll find a better introduction to Hume than this.
April 5, 2016
Com o propósito de ser uma leitura rápida, Hume em 90 minutos consegue por em poucas palavras a história do primeiro ateu que se admite ateu.
Strathern escreve sobre vida, obra e morte do filósofo escocês, passando por histórias dos encontros e das relações de Hume com contemporâneos ilustres de sua época como Rousseau e Newton.
Ao final, o autor traz uma coleção de citações famosas retiradas das obras de Hume que ilustram tudo que o livro propôs até então e nos instiga a buscar mais sobre esse grande pensador do século XVIII.
Strathern escreve sobre vida, obra e morte do filósofo escocês, passando por histórias dos encontros e das relações de Hume com contemporâneos ilustres de sua época como Rousseau e Newton.
Ao final, o autor traz uma coleção de citações famosas retiradas das obras de Hume que ilustram tudo que o livro propôs até então e nos instiga a buscar mais sobre esse grande pensador do século XVIII.
January 1, 2021
A quick, informative overview of David Hume's life, work and contribution to philosophy and scientific thought. I particularly liked the Chronologies at the end of the book - not only of Hume's life, but of "Significant Philosophical Dates." I appreciated the clarification of how Hume fits into the larger picture.
I'm adding the entire series of philosophers "...in 90 Minutes" series to my reading list.
I'm adding the entire series of philosophers "...in 90 Minutes" series to my reading list.
June 17, 2016
Nice, simple.
Certainly readable within an hour, so no false advertising there. Simple explanation of his life and ideas detailed in an interesting way. Opens you up to Hume; real understanding will require further reading. Good starter.
Certainly readable within an hour, so no false advertising there. Simple explanation of his life and ideas detailed in an interesting way. Opens you up to Hume; real understanding will require further reading. Good starter.
May 16, 2016
حظ خوبی داره این مجموعه.
April 26, 2019
I learned a few things about him. I worthy read on his birthday. Wait. the History channel email said 4-26, the book said 4-24, if I remember correctly and google says May 7th. Which is it? LOL
Read
May 6, 2025~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
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~}--- :}|{:-:}|{:- * FOLLOW 4 FOLLOW * -:}|{:-:}|{: ---{~
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* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{:- ^ AUDIOBOOK ^ -:}|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
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* -:}|{}|{:- * SUMMARY * -:}|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{:- * RATING * -:}|{:- * /10 * -:}|{:- *
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* -:}|{}|{: =EXPERIENCES=&=DISCERNMENTS= :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = = }|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VWrl... {- *
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -} Gestalt Psychology Simplified with Examples and Principles {- *
* -:}|{}|{: = MY SYNTHESISED ( ^ GESTALT ^ ) OF THE * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * ( WAY THE AUTHOR FRAMES = HIS WRITING PERSPECTIVES ) & ( POINTERS & IMPLICATIONS = the conclusion that can be drawn IMPLICITYLY from something although it is not EXPLICITLY stated ) = :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = ? = }|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
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~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
“Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows.” Nisargadatta Maharaj
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~
Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”
Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}--- :}|{:-:}|{:- * FOLLOW 4 FOLLOW * -:}|{:-:}|{: ---{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}--------:}|{:-:}|{:- * LINKS * -:}|{:-:}|{:----------{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
***********************************************
~} * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * - * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * {~
* -} {- *
~} * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * - * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * {~
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{:- ^ AUDIOBOOK ^ -:}|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{}|{:- * SUMMARY * -:}|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{:- * RATING * -:}|{:- * /10 * -:}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -:}|{}|{: =EXPERIENCES=&=DISCERNMENTS= :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = = }|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
* -} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VWrl... {- *
* -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- *
* -} Gestalt Psychology Simplified with Examples and Principles {- *
* -:}|{}|{: = MY SYNTHESISED ( ^ GESTALT ^ ) OF THE * -:}|{}|{:=:}|{}|{:- * ( WAY THE AUTHOR FRAMES = HIS WRITING PERSPECTIVES ) & ( POINTERS & IMPLICATIONS = the conclusion that can be drawn IMPLICITYLY from something although it is not EXPLICITLY stated ) = :}|{}|{:- *
* -:}|{}|{: = ? = }|{}|{:- *
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
“Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows.” Nisargadatta Maharaj
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~
Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”
Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through
~}- - - - - - - - - - - - - -:}|{:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -{~
~}-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-:}|{:-{~
August 20, 2025
David Hume in 90 minutes by Paul Strathern
Fabulous book
The philosophy of David Hume is one of a handful that still stands up today! Sophisticated later systems, a bit mocked by the author, have come crumbling, but Hume’s thinking is viable in the present.
It is very interesting how much we can learn in 90 minutes. We do not reach the essence, the depths of Hume’s mind, but there is a certain familiarity that I felt after reading this exquisite book.
David Hume was a very interesting scholar, who probably suffered from a glandular affliction, since he became huge, in spite of the regular horse riding exercise that he took daily.
- “Large as a pig” – was the description given by Gibbon, but meant as a kind of compliment
Hume was an atheist, in a time when this was as peculiar as believing in UFOs and Martians is today, I‘d say. In fact at his death, a huge crowd gathered to witness the funeral of the Atheist.
By the way, I did not spoil anything by saying that he died, and that is a relief…I mean to write down notes on a book where the end is known and you can talk about it. I have got a scolding when once, not thinking anybody will read my notes, meant to be for personal use even now-but hey, be my guest- I wrote down what happens in the plot, without any spoiler alert.
Paul Strathern speculates with humor that Hume might have visited harlots, who were as cheap as a bottle of warm water, if I remember the metaphor correctly. The author makes sure we get that he is not making politically incorrect judgment calls, only stating the facts of the time.
Hume has had an interesting career path, working for a lunatic and then as a secretary for another stupid figure, this time an officer in the British army.
With his excellent sense of humor, Strathern tells the story of the incursion to which Hume has assisted. In the first place, the plan was for this army unit to travel to Canada, to fight there. But the plans changed and they sailed to France.
- But what are we going to do about the native guides we had trained?
- Never mind that, just sail south and you will reach France
They nearly missed France and once on shore they realized they had no map. Hume offered to draw one, but they sent someone to fetch one from a shop instead. It rained so they decided to go back on the ship, where the soldiers suffered from cramps and other affections, for they had spent the last months crammed on the ship. The French were as incompetent as the opposing force and were willing to surrender. As they came to do so, they stumbled upon the “British army”, which at that point consisted only of a few groups of soldiers, who were forgotten behind. The French changed their mind in what looks like a slap stick Marx brothers’ comedy.
Hume met more interesting people in his life. One of them and perhaps the most important was Rousseau. Hume offered shelter, when the French thinker was in danger and wanted for his revolutionary ideas. Rousseau is crucial for the development of political thinking and has inspired leading lights of the French Revolution, but as a man he got paranoid from one point on and behaved disgustingly even before that. He threw his children away, knowing that their chances of survival were extremely low.
Rousseau even accused Hume of plotting with his enemies, which proves how mad he became.
Hume became involved with a French woman, who shared his feelings and wanted intimate relations with Hume. They corresponded, hiding their feelings underneath talk about other subjects.
They never consummated this romantic interest and for some strange reason I regretted when I read about it.
When Hume died, people gathered from far and wide to see…that is exactly the point…what did they expect to see? A thunderbolt and God’s wrath probably.
The fact that Hume’s atheism was tolerated, albeit he held a rare point of view, goes to prove that times were changing. His views provoked scandal, but not a burning stake…”Thank God”
All the important thinkers, from Ancient Greece on, had been religious until Hume came along. The Christian dogma had impregnated the thinking of scholars and philosophers for centuries. Hume is the first to admit to being an atheist.
I have been an atheist for most of my life, so the concepts of Hume should appeal to me. And I like very much the philosopher and the man. However, at this point in life I am looking for religion, even if in a new form, tamer, probably without saints and God, but still with transcendental significances, rituals and “religiously held” beliefs and habits.
It has to do with the discovery that religion is actually good for you. Not the fanatical sort that pushes you to blow people away, or get into mass suicides in the distant Guyana. But a tolerant faith, like Buddhism, but without the reincarnation and perhaps more involvement and less detachment …we’ll see, we do not have all the precepts ready yet. But the merciful “God”-that we lack at the center of this belief will enlighten us…Insha’Allah!
Allahu Akbar – hey man, that’s just for the exotique, intriguing and pleasant sound of it and not for the meaning...maybe Allah is great, but I am no Muslim...although some ideas are intersting...alas, it is not for here and now to digress upon them.
Hume is cool and Strathern gives you plenty of reason to like, appreciate, learn more and even understand a little about these great philosophers and their thinking. I am on to Kierkergaard next.
Fabulous book
The philosophy of David Hume is one of a handful that still stands up today! Sophisticated later systems, a bit mocked by the author, have come crumbling, but Hume’s thinking is viable in the present.
It is very interesting how much we can learn in 90 minutes. We do not reach the essence, the depths of Hume’s mind, but there is a certain familiarity that I felt after reading this exquisite book.
David Hume was a very interesting scholar, who probably suffered from a glandular affliction, since he became huge, in spite of the regular horse riding exercise that he took daily.
- “Large as a pig” – was the description given by Gibbon, but meant as a kind of compliment
Hume was an atheist, in a time when this was as peculiar as believing in UFOs and Martians is today, I‘d say. In fact at his death, a huge crowd gathered to witness the funeral of the Atheist.
By the way, I did not spoil anything by saying that he died, and that is a relief…I mean to write down notes on a book where the end is known and you can talk about it. I have got a scolding when once, not thinking anybody will read my notes, meant to be for personal use even now-but hey, be my guest- I wrote down what happens in the plot, without any spoiler alert.
Paul Strathern speculates with humor that Hume might have visited harlots, who were as cheap as a bottle of warm water, if I remember the metaphor correctly. The author makes sure we get that he is not making politically incorrect judgment calls, only stating the facts of the time.
Hume has had an interesting career path, working for a lunatic and then as a secretary for another stupid figure, this time an officer in the British army.
With his excellent sense of humor, Strathern tells the story of the incursion to which Hume has assisted. In the first place, the plan was for this army unit to travel to Canada, to fight there. But the plans changed and they sailed to France.
- But what are we going to do about the native guides we had trained?
- Never mind that, just sail south and you will reach France
They nearly missed France and once on shore they realized they had no map. Hume offered to draw one, but they sent someone to fetch one from a shop instead. It rained so they decided to go back on the ship, where the soldiers suffered from cramps and other affections, for they had spent the last months crammed on the ship. The French were as incompetent as the opposing force and were willing to surrender. As they came to do so, they stumbled upon the “British army”, which at that point consisted only of a few groups of soldiers, who were forgotten behind. The French changed their mind in what looks like a slap stick Marx brothers’ comedy.
Hume met more interesting people in his life. One of them and perhaps the most important was Rousseau. Hume offered shelter, when the French thinker was in danger and wanted for his revolutionary ideas. Rousseau is crucial for the development of political thinking and has inspired leading lights of the French Revolution, but as a man he got paranoid from one point on and behaved disgustingly even before that. He threw his children away, knowing that their chances of survival were extremely low.
Rousseau even accused Hume of plotting with his enemies, which proves how mad he became.
Hume became involved with a French woman, who shared his feelings and wanted intimate relations with Hume. They corresponded, hiding their feelings underneath talk about other subjects.
They never consummated this romantic interest and for some strange reason I regretted when I read about it.
When Hume died, people gathered from far and wide to see…that is exactly the point…what did they expect to see? A thunderbolt and God’s wrath probably.
The fact that Hume’s atheism was tolerated, albeit he held a rare point of view, goes to prove that times were changing. His views provoked scandal, but not a burning stake…”Thank God”
All the important thinkers, from Ancient Greece on, had been religious until Hume came along. The Christian dogma had impregnated the thinking of scholars and philosophers for centuries. Hume is the first to admit to being an atheist.
I have been an atheist for most of my life, so the concepts of Hume should appeal to me. And I like very much the philosopher and the man. However, at this point in life I am looking for religion, even if in a new form, tamer, probably without saints and God, but still with transcendental significances, rituals and “religiously held” beliefs and habits.
It has to do with the discovery that religion is actually good for you. Not the fanatical sort that pushes you to blow people away, or get into mass suicides in the distant Guyana. But a tolerant faith, like Buddhism, but without the reincarnation and perhaps more involvement and less detachment …we’ll see, we do not have all the precepts ready yet. But the merciful “God”-that we lack at the center of this belief will enlighten us…Insha’Allah!
Allahu Akbar – hey man, that’s just for the exotique, intriguing and pleasant sound of it and not for the meaning...maybe Allah is great, but I am no Muslim...although some ideas are intersting...alas, it is not for here and now to digress upon them.
Hume is cool and Strathern gives you plenty of reason to like, appreciate, learn more and even understand a little about these great philosophers and their thinking. I am on to Kierkergaard next.
July 8, 2022
A friend who considers Hume his favorite philosopher called this "a terrible book."
I'm no expert on Hume, but I enjoyed it. Brevity has a quality all its own, and as a rapid intro to the man and his work, I didn't feel my time was wasted. Strathern's acerbic wit reminds me of UK celebrity obituaries, which tend to drip with snark.
If 90 minutes is too long, get the audiobook and increase the playback speed. I got through it in less than sixty, and the narrator applied the right tone to the text.
If you want to understand Hume, read Hume. My friend recommended An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding as a good first book, and I'm appreciating it so far. But if you want a thumbnail introduction to the man and his work, I found it more than sufficient.
I'm no expert on Hume, but I enjoyed it. Brevity has a quality all its own, and as a rapid intro to the man and his work, I didn't feel my time was wasted. Strathern's acerbic wit reminds me of UK celebrity obituaries, which tend to drip with snark.
If 90 minutes is too long, get the audiobook and increase the playback speed. I got through it in less than sixty, and the narrator applied the right tone to the text.
If you want to understand Hume, read Hume. My friend recommended An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding as a good first book, and I'm appreciating it so far. But if you want a thumbnail introduction to the man and his work, I found it more than sufficient.
December 30, 2024
He was supposed to be a lawyer, but he enjoyed philosophy much more. He said the law made him nauseous, which as someone who has a masters degree in legal studies, I find this funny. He had depression & suffered from mental breakdowns. He believed that humans think that they know more than they actually do, which I also agree with. He also believed that we as a society make causation where there may not actually be. Hume and Rousseau both wanted reform, but Hume differed in how he thought humanity should get there. Rousseau saw Hume as a threat and spread rumors about him. Hume was concerned with people thinking for themselves and seeing through eyes clear of deception. However, this book doesn’t expound on that in full. Overall, it was very informative.
October 8, 2020
From Audible Channels.
Philosophy's first openly atheist philosopher. He argued against cause and effect, miracles, and the soul. He proposed the "Bundle Theory" and went down in history as a historian. His History of England: From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688 became a best seller and remained in print for over a century.
Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them. ~ Hume
Philosophy's first openly atheist philosopher. He argued against cause and effect, miracles, and the soul. He proposed the "Bundle Theory" and went down in history as a historian. His History of England: From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution in 1688 became a best seller and remained in print for over a century.
Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them. ~ Hume
November 21, 2021
I always liked David Hume's philosophy.
Maybe it's partly being a science type guy, or maybe it's growing up in working in the Anglosphere (which seems more fundamentally in love with empiricism compared to other cultures) but from the first time I understood what he was saying, it just made sense.
Well I liked him even more after learning more about his background. He just seems like a very down to earth guy who had a pretty relatable life.
It was also good to be reminded of how radical his ideas were and to learn how he influenced the course of Western philosophy.
Maybe it's partly being a science type guy, or maybe it's growing up in working in the Anglosphere (which seems more fundamentally in love with empiricism compared to other cultures) but from the first time I understood what he was saying, it just made sense.
Well I liked him even more after learning more about his background. He just seems like a very down to earth guy who had a pretty relatable life.
It was also good to be reminded of how radical his ideas were and to learn how he influenced the course of Western philosophy.
June 8, 2023
Not only watered down and nearly devoid of accurate references, the author’s stilted tone borders on condescension and a certain juvenile undertone in the author’s style. For readers seeking an adult-level and readable introduction to particular philosophers, I suggest the “Very Short Introduction to…” series, although because those treatments are written by a variety of authors, they are a bit uneven in style and density.
July 18, 2023
Anyone looking for a thorough or deeper understanding of Hume should read The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well by Julian Baggini instead. However, having just read the Baggini I found this to be an interesting counterpoint - not least for the snarky asides in stark contrast to the serious tone of the other book. If you're just curious about Hume, start here and then go on to Baggini's if your interest is piqued.
August 31, 2020
This is a great introduction to David Hume the man, as well as a good primer on Humean thought. My only complaint is that the excerpts from his writing appear largely at the end of the book in a separate section, as opposed to worked into the text itself. Other than that, this is a great little volume worth reading for any fan of philosophy or biography.
January 18, 2023
Another good Strathern primer on the life and philosophy of one of the most notable philosophers. I found the brief discussion on the interplay of Hume and Rousseau to be especially interesting. Unlike some who seemed to limit their life experiences, Hume traveled, saw war, and wrote history. One might speculate on how this affected his views.
June 16, 2019
Somehow this one didn't give me as much of an impression as the one for Decartes, to the point that I don't think I can really remember too much outstanding characteristics or central philosophical ideas in a few days; or just the side effect of reading the two of them so close in succession.
December 20, 2023
thought this was academic but turns out it was entirely biographical. learnt he was mentally unsound & also a historian. this is so unserious i think the author mentions about 6-7 times, over the course od 50 pages, how large sized he is.
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