Four Dissertations: A Natural History of Religion, Of the Passions, Of Tragedy, Of the Standard of Taste

David Hume (1711-1776) remains one of the most stimulating and entertaining writers in the English essay tradition. Though primarily known for long-form writings, he was adept at taking one subject and looking at it in a more concise but accessible manner.
Hume devoted his life to study - across a wide range of his personal interests, reflecting his background in philosophy, history, economics, and many other subjects. This can be clearly seen in Four Dissertations (1757) and the topics he c...