Influenced by John Locke (1632-1704) and Bishop George Berkeley (1685-1753), David Hume was a Scottish historian and philosopher and developed the notions of skepticism and empiricism. Hume's skeptical approach also denied the existence both of the spiritual substances postulated by Berkeley and Locke's as "material substance." Born in Edinburgh , Hume was educated at home and at the University of Edinburgh, matriculating at the age of 12.

A Treatise of Human Nature (3 vol., 1739-40) embodies much of his thinking. In France he was lionized by French literary circles and formed a friendship with the French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. Hume brought Rousseau back with him to England. Rousseau, however, plagued by paranoia, accused Hume of plotting against him. Later, Hume retired to Edinburgh, spending the rest of his life there.