The Philosophical Works of David Hume

VOLUME I

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Editions of the Essays Collated and Referred To (Editors)

Life of the Author by Himself

Letter from Adam Smith, to William Strachan, Esq. (Adam Smith)

Latter-will and Testament of Mr. Hume

Account of the Controversy between Hume and Rousseau (French Editors)

List of Scotticisms (Editors)

A Treatise of Human Nature, Book I, Of the Understanding

VOLUME II

A Treatise of Human Nature, Book II, Of the Passions

A Treatise of Human Nature, Book III, Of Morals

Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

Appendix to the Treatise of Human Nature

VOLUME III

Of the Delicacy of Taste and Passion*

Of the Liberty of the Press*

That Politics may be Reduced to a Science*

Of the First Principals of Government*

Of the Origin of Government*

Of the Independence of Parliament*

Whether the British Government inclines to absolute Monarchy, or to a Republic*

Of Parties in general*

Of the Parties of Great Britain*

Of Superstition and Enthusiasm*

Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature*

Of Civil Liberty*

Of Eloquence*

Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences*

The Epicurean*

The Stoic*

The Platonist*

The Sceptic*

Of Polygamy and Divorces*

Of Simplicity and Refinement in Writing*

Of National Characters*

Of Tragedy*

Of the Standard of Taste*

Of Commerce*

Of Refinement in the Arts*

Of Money*

Of Interest*

Of the Balance of Trade*

Of the Jealousy of Trade*

Of the Balance of Power*

Of Taxes*

Of Public Credit*

Of some remarkable Customs*

Of the Populousness of Ancient Nations*

Of the Original Contract*

Of Passive Obedience*

Of the Coalition of Parties*

Of the Protestant Succession*

Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth*

VOLUME IV

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An Inquiry Concerning the Human Understanding

An Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

Appendices (Concerning Moral Sentiment, Of Self-Love, Some further considerations with regard to Justice, Of some Verbal Disputes, A Dialogue)

The Natural History of Religion

Of Impudence and Modesty*

Of Love and Marriage*

Of the Study of History*

Of Avarice*

Of Essay Writing*

Of Moral Prejudices*

Of the Middle Station of Life*

Of Suicide*

On the Immortality of the Soul*

* denotes a short essay.

General Comments:

The books are very well produced. Cloth bound, acid-free paper, burgundy colored, with a simple and elegant design. All in all, this is a handsome edition that will physically grace your library.

Editorial commentary is largely restricted to identifying differences between different editions of the same work. The only significant content that is not Hume's own writing is in Volume I: the letter from Adam Smith describing Hume's death, and the material on the Hume - Rousseau controversy, which largely consists of the correspondence between the two men.

The essays in Volume III are from a 2-volume set published by Hume (together in one volume here) entitled "Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary". I included the titles of the individual essays because I thought they would be of interest. All but the last two additional essays at the end of Volume IV were in some editions of "Essays...", but not the 1777 edition which was used as the source for this collection.

Hume is of course one of the most important philosophers in history. It is a very fine thing that this collection exists.