Hume and Machiavelli

Download or read book Hume and Machiavelli written by Frederick G. Whelan and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2004 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although there are myriad references to Machiavelli's work within Hume's writing, a deeper connection between the two has never been fully explored. Whelan uncovers extensive Machiavellian dimensions throughout Hume's work, illustrating numerous parallels in both theorists' treatment of such issues as human nature, historical method, and political ethics. While at first such a comparison may be startling, Whelan argues convincingly that Hume's writing, commonly regarded as moderate and amiable, is indeed a locus of realist liberal political theory.