David Hume (1711鈥�1776) 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 nature鈥攈uman nature in particular. The Great Guide is 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 Guide includes 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.
"A bright, engaging, reliable introduction to Hume鈥檚 life and work."鈥擪ieran Setiya, Los Angeles Review of Books
"Baggini鈥檚 intertwining of philosophy with biography is masterly."鈥擩ane O鈥橤rady, 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."鈥擜lan Dent, The Penniless Press
"I鈥檝e thoroughly enjoyed Julian Baggini鈥檚 The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well."鈥擠iane Coyle, The Enlightened Economist
"Entertaining and informative. . . .an imaginative glimpse of Hume living his life and doing his work."鈥擩anna Thompson, Inside Story
"As we travel around with Hume, Baggini provides his readers with a steady commentary and description of his subject鈥檚 various friendships and controversies, along with brief sketches of Hume鈥檚 core ideas and contributions. All this is lively and engaging.
"鈥擯aul 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 Hume鈥檚 guide to life"鈥擠avid 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 Hume鈥檚 major views are clear and careful. Hopefully the book will increase interest in Hume both inside and outside the academy."鈥擠aniel E. Flage, European Legacy
"Baggini traces Hume鈥檚 movements while exploring the evolution of his ideas. Hume had a profound impact on the history of philosophy. . . .But Hume鈥檚 more technical ideas about cause and effect isn鈥檛 the big takeaway from Baggini鈥檚 book, at least not for people who believe philosophy really is about virtue. Hume鈥檚 often contrarian ideas, his commitment to question everything, serves as an inspiration for living well. . . .What more could you want from a philosopher?"鈥擲teven Gambardella, Sophist
"This book offers a readable, engaging, and enjoyable account of David Hume as a man, and as a philosopher."鈥擱alph McLean, Edinburgh Bibliographical Society Journal
鈥淲ith his characteristic clarity, Julian Baggini has given us a much-needed and extremely readable account of the work of David Hume. It is hard to imagine a better introduction to Hume鈥檚 world and the relevance of his thought to the questions of our time.鈥濃�擜lexander McCall Smith, author of The Sunday Philosophy Club
鈥淢arvelous. This enlightening account of Hume鈥檚 life and thought shows how philosophy鈥檚 true worth is measured not on the strength of the argument but on the strength of the life that it inspires. Hume once said, 鈥楢 wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.鈥� In the case of The Great Guide, the evidence is clear: Julian Baggini is one of the most delightful writers of philosophy today.鈥濃�擩ohn Kaag, author of Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life
"A fascinating mix of biography, travelogue, and ideas. This book will enhance Baggini's reputation as one of the most elegant writers in the world of philosophy."鈥擠avid Edmonds, author of The Murder of Professor Schlick: The Rise and Fall of the Vienna Circle
"This unique book is filled with useful maxims for everyday life, illuminating Hume's world while also adding a contemporary touch. Baggini's intermingling of life and philosophy, both past and present, makes for an engaging read."鈥擜ngela M. Coventry, author of Hume: A Guide for the Perplexed
"In this well-written and accessible book, Baggini shows how Hume鈥檚 life illustrates and accords with his philosophical standpoints, deftly navigating a good many of the central themes of Hume's work."鈥擲imon Blackburn, author of What Do We Really Know? The Big Questions of Philosophy
