The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well

(Hardback)

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Invaluable wisdom on living a good life from one of the Enlightenment's greatest philosophers

David Hume (17111776) is perhaps best known for his ideas about cause and effect and his criticisms of religion, but he is rarely thought of as a philosopher with practical wisdom to offer. Yet Hume's philosophy is grounded in an honest assessment of naturehuman nature in particular.The Great Guideis an engaging and eye-opening account of how Hume's thought should serve as the basis for a complete approach to life.

In this enthralling book, Julian Baggini masterfully interweaves biography with intellectual history and philosophy to give us a complete vision of Hume's guide to life. He follows Hume on his life's journey, literally walking in the great philosopher's footsteps as Baggini takes readers to the places that inspired Hume the most, from his family estate near the Scottish border to Paris, where, as an older man, he was warmly embraced by French society. Baggini shows how Hume put his philosophy into practice in a life that blended reason and passion, study and leisure, and relaxation and enjoyment.

The Great Guideincludes 145 Humean maxims for living well, on topics ranging from the meaning of success and the value of travel to friendship, facing death, identity, and the importance of leisure. This book shows how life is far richer with Hume as your guide.

Reviews

"A bright, engaging, reliable introduction to Humes life and work."---Kieran Setiya, Los Angeles Review of Books
"Bagginis intertwining of philosophy with biography is masterly."---Jane OGrady, Literary Review
"Baggini knows his subject thoroughly, explains his work in clear prose and adds biographical detail which is as illuminating as it is interesting."---Alan Dent, The Penniless Press
"Ive thoroughly enjoyed Julian Bagginis The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well."---Diane Coyle, The Enlightened Economist
"Entertaining and informative. . . .an imaginative glimpse of Hume living his life and doing his work."---Janna Thompson, Inside Story
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As we travel around with Hume, Baggini provides his readers with a steady commentary and description of his subjects various friendships and controversies, along with brief sketches of Humes core ideas and contributions. All this is lively and engaging.

"---Paul Russell, Times Literary Supplement
"In this book the author skilfully weaves together biography with intellectual history and philosophy to provide a highly readable account of Humes guide to life"---David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer
"The Great Guide is an excellent introduction to Hume. The biographical travelogue lends reality to Hume as a person. The discussions of Humes major views are clear and careful. Hopefully the book will increase interest in Hume both inside and outside the academy."---Daniel E. Flage, European Legacy
"Baggini traces Humes movements while exploring the evolution of his ideas. Hume had a profound impact on the history of philosophy. . . .But Humes more technical ideas about cause and effect isnt the big takeaway from Bagginis book, at least not for people who believe philosophy really is about virtue. Humes often contrarian ideas, his commitment to question everything, serves as an inspiration for living well. . . .What more could you want from a philosopher"---Steven Gambardella, Sophist

Author Bio

Julian Baggini is an independent scholar, philosopher, and writer. He was the founding editor of The Philosophers' Magazine and is the author of many books, including How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy and The Edge of Reason: A Rational Skeptic in an Irrational World. Website julianbaggini.com Twitter @JulianBaggini