Western Civilization II / Unit 6 WC2 0513 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Hume: Against Miracles, and Against the Common People
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The idea
Hume, of the Scottish Enlightenment at Edinburgh, held miracles invalid in an orderly universe and a personal God a primitive fear. The witness: passion, not reason, governs behavior, and there are no innate ideas. The anchor adds his contempt for commoners.
In practice
Philosophes did not champion ordinary people's political rights, the anchor says.
Where people slip
Elitism is the anchor's emphasis; the exam tests miracles.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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