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David Hume

• Born: May 7, 1711 (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Died: August 25, 1776 (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Biography

David Hume was born in 1711 in Edinburgh, Scotland, originally with the surname ‘Home’. He enrolled at the University of Edinburgh at around age 10 – much younger than the usual age of 14. He initially studied law but soon turned to philosophy.

At around age 18, Hume became obsessed with a “new Scene of Thought” – the exact nature of which is unknown – and decided to dedicate himself entirely to philosophy, ignoring “every other Pleasure or Business to apply entirely to it”. However, this obsession led to a period of physical and mental strain, and Hume became ill. His doctor prescribed him ‘anti-hysteric pills’ to be taken daily with wine. Although this improved his health initially, in 1731, Hume began experiencing an intense appetite and palpitations. This a David hume philosophy.