1. `In every civilized community': Hume on belief and the demise of religion.
- Author
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Costelloe, Timothy M.
- Subjects
- *
RELIGION & sociology , *BELIEF & doubt , *CONDUCT of life , *HUMAN acts (Ethics) , *HYPOCRISY , *TRUTHFULNESS & falsehood - Abstract
This paper considers the claim that Hume was hostile to religion and religious belief, and hoped for their demise. Part one examines his approach to belief, showing how commentators take him to see religious belief as non-natural. Part two challenges this conclusion by arguing, first, that Hume's distinction between natural and artificial virtue allows the term ``natural'' to cover religious belief as well; second, that Hume himself never denies religious belief is natural, and, third, that he takes religion to be a necessary part of any flourishing society. The target of Hume's critical remarks on religion, it is then emphasized, are forms of ``false'' religion, which arise from the corrupting influence of passion, hypocrisy, bigotry, enthusiasm, and superstition. At best, it is concluded, the claim that Hume was hostile to religion requires qualification, while the view that he was in favor of its actual demise is largely unwarranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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