Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779)

Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion is a philosophical work by the Scottish philosopher David Hume, first published in 1779. The book is written in the form of a dialogue between three characters: Cleanthes, Philo, and Demea. The dialogue explores various arguments for the existence of God and the nature of God's attributes, including his power, knowledge, and benevolence. The characters debate the validity of the cosmological argument, the teleological argument, and the problem of evil. Cleanthes, who represents the argument from design, argues that the complexity and order of the natural world suggest the existence of a divine creator. Philo, who represents Hume's own skepticism, challenges Cleanthes' argument by pointing out the flaws in analogical reasoning and the limitations of human understanding. Demea, who represents the traditional religious perspective, argues that God's existence and attributes are beyond human comprehension and that faith is necessary for understanding the divine. The book is notable for its critical examination of traditional arguments for the existence of God and its skeptical approach to religious belief. Hume's arguments against the teleological and cosmological arguments have had a lasting impact on philosophical and theological debates. The book also reflects Hume's broader philosophical concerns, including his empiricist epistemology and his critique of metaphysical speculation.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.