"Hume, David - Letter to a friend in Edinburgh [PG]" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hume David)

Some OBSERVATIONS ON

A Specimen of the Principles concerning RELIGION and MORALITY,
said to be maintain'd in a Book lately publish'd, intituled, A
Treatise of Human Nature, &c.

EDINBURGH,

Printed in the year M.DCC.XLV.

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{3}

SIR,

I Have read over the Specimen of the Principles concerning Religion
and Morality, said to be maintain'd in a Book lately published,
intituled, A Treatise of Human Nature; being an Attempt to introduce
the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects. I have also
read over what is called the Sum of the Charge. Which Papers, as you
inform me, have been industriously spread about, and were put into
your hands some few Days ago.

I was perswaded that the Clamour of Scepticism, Atheism, &c.
had been so often employ'd by the worst of Men against the
best, that it had now lost all its Influence; and should never
have thought of making any Remarks on these maim'd Excerpts,
if you had not laid your Commands on me, as a piece of common
Justice to the Author, and for undeceiving some well-meaning
People, on whom it seems the enormous Charge has made
Impression. {4}

I shall insert the Accusation at full Length, and then go
regularly through what is called the Sum of the Charge;
because it is intended, I suppose, to contain the Substance of
the whole. I shall also take notice of the Specimen as I go
along.

Specimen of the Principles concerning Religion and Morality, &c.

THE Author puts on his Title-page (Vol. I printed for J. Noon, 1739) a
Passage of Tacitus to this Purpose; "Rare Happiness of our Times, that
you may think as you will, and speak as you think."

He expresses his Deference to the Publick in these Words
(Advertisement, p. 2.) The Approbation of the Publick I
consider as the greatest Reward of my Labours; but am
determined to regard its Judgment, whatever it be, as my best
Instruction."