Contrasting Views of Liberty in Hume and Rousseau

Topic

The contrast between David Hume and Jean Jacques Rousseau on the nature of liberty is one of most enduring aspects of the eighteenth century. How can two thinkers who seem to cherish liberty and a free society have such different views of liberty?

Guide to the Readings

Editions used:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, translated with an Introduction by G.D. H. Cole (London and Toronto: J.M. Dent and Sons, 1923).
• David Hume, Essays Moral, Political, Literary, edited and with a Foreword, Notes, and Glossary by Eugene F. Miller, with an appendix of variant readings from the 1889 edition by T.H. Green and T.H. Grose, revised edition (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1987).
• David Hume, The Natural History of Religion. By David Hume. With an Introduction by John M. Robertson (London: A. and H. Bradlaugh Bonner, 1889).
• David Hume, Enquiries Concerning the Human Understanding and Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume, ed. L. A. Selby-Bigge, M.A. 2nd ed. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902).

See also in the Online Library of Liberty:

• School of Thought: the Scottish Enightenment
• School of Thought: the French Enlightenment

Tips on How To use the Online Library of Liberty.

For additional reading see:

• Jean-Jacques Rouseau (1712-1778)
• David Hume (1711-1776)

Session I: Progress and Liberty in Rousseau

The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

• Discourse on the Arts and Sciences

Session II: Progress and Liberty in Hume

David Hume, Essays Moral, Political, Literary

• “Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Science”
• “Of Commerce"
• “Of Refinement in the Arts”

Session III: Liberty, the Social Contract, and Consent

The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

• The Social Contract, Book I

David Hume, Essays Moral, Political, Literary

• “Of the First Principles of Government”
• “Of the Origin of Government”
• “Of the Original Contract”

Session IV: Political Institutions and Liberty

The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

• The Social Contract, Book II, Chapters 1–6
• Book III, Chapters 12–15
• Book IV, Chapter I

David Hume, Essays Moral, Political, Literary

• “That Politics May be Reduced to a Science”
• “Of the Independency of Parliament”
• “Of Parties in General”
• “Of Passive Obedience”

Session V: Religion and Free Government

The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

• The Social Contract, Book IV, Chapter 8

David Hume, The Natural History of Religion

• Natural History of Religion

David Hume, Essays Moral, Political, Literary

• “Of Superstition and Enthusiasm”

Session VI: Moral Judgment and Responsibility

David Hume, Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

• “A Dialogue”