Overview
In his writings, Hume talks of our 'gilding and staining' natural objects, and of the mind's propensity to 'spread itself' on the world. This has led commentators to use the metaphor of 'projection' in connection with his philosophy: Hume is held to have taught that causal power and self are projections, that God is a projection of our fear, and that value is a projection of sentiment. By considering what it is about Hume's writing that occasions this metaphor, P. J. E. Kail spells out its meaning, the role it plays in Hume's work, and examines how, if at all, what sounds 'projective' in Hume can be reconciled with what sounds 'realist'. In addition to offering some highly original readings of Hume's central ideas, Projection and Realism in Hume's Philosophy offers a detailed examination of the notion of projection and the problems it faces.
Full Product Details
Author: P. J. E. Kail (St Peter's College, Oxford)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.50cm
, Height: 1.90cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 0.466kg
ISBN: 9780199575657
ISBN 10: 0199575657
Pages: 302
Publication Date: 22 April 2010
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
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Reviews
<br> The detailed and clever textual analysis coupled with the originality and boldness of many of the core theses ensures that Kail's book will remain both an indispensable reference and a source of inspiration for the future scholarly activities of Hume specialists. --Angela Coventry, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews<br>
Review from previous edition Peter Kail's engaging study undertakes to illuminate Hume on the external world, necessity, and value by juxtaposing these topics with God, personal identity, and colour respectively...There is much...to admire: the unusual breadth of coverage; the rich comparison of Hume's explanations of belief in God and the external world...The intricate defences of provocative interpretive claims-for example, that Hume thinks belief with evaluation content can, on its own, motivate action-are sure to recieve wide attention. Louis E. Loeb, Mind A formiddable accomplishment, highly innovative in many of its theses, and, all in all, well-stocked with interesting arguments... Of the writing of books on Hume there is end; kail's is hugely impressive, one of the best I have read in the past decade or so. Alexander Broadie, British Journal for the History of Philosophy Projection and Realism in Hume's Philosophy is a rich and valuable addition to Hume scholarship. The most welcome contribution of the work is the comprehensive picture of the sort of projection at work in Hume's philosophy informed by the systematic tracking of the various usages throughout his work. The line of research into the connection between projection, realism, and anti-realism is fruitful. The detailed and clever textual analysis coupled with the originality and boldness of many of the core theses ensures that Kail's book will remain both an indispensable reference and a source of inspiration for the future scholarly activities of Hume specialists. Angela Coventry, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
Author Information
Peter Kail is a University Lecturer in the History of Modern Philosophy at St Peter's College, University of Oxford.
