Religion and science: A new look at Hume's Dialogues

Wesley C. Salmon

doi:10.1007/BF00571884

Philosophical Studies

February 1978, Volume 33, Issue 2, pp 143–176 | Cite as

Religion and science: A new look at Hume's Dialogues

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Wesley C. Salmon

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This paper was written for presentation at a conference held at the University of Arizona in 1976, the bicentennial of Hume's death. On that occasion it seemed appropriate to discuss hisDialogues Concerning Natural Religion, for this posthumously published work is a significant part of Hume's legacy.

The composition of these dialogues was begun in 1751, and a first draft had been completed by 1756. Hume wanted to publish them at that time, but because of the controversial nature of this work, friends persuaded him to delay publication. He revised theDialogues in 1761, and again in 1776. One of Hume's chief concerns during the last year of his life was that they be published shortly after his death. To this end he made elaborate provisions in his will, but the actual publication did not occur until 1779. The first edition did not carry the publisher's name or any editorial comment.

The present paper is a drastically revised version of an article, ‘A Modern Analysis of the Design Argument’, which appeared inResearch Studies of the State College of Washington in 1951 — just 200 years after Hume began his first draft. That article was defective in many ways, and I am thankful for the obscurity it enjoyed.

I am grateful to Professor Nancy Cartwright for stimulating and penetrating comments on the version of this paper which was presented at the Hume conference. I am grateful to Professor Frederick Ferré for important information concerning William Paley's construal of the design argument.

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Wesley C. Salmon
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Religion and science: A new look at Hume's Dialogues

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