Study Notes on David Hume's The Natural History of Religion

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF RELIGION

INTRODUCTION

  • Importance of Religion:

    • Questions regarding religion's foundation in reason and its origin in human nature.

  • Foundation in Reason:

    • Nature exhibits signs of an intelligent author.

    • Genuine Theism and religion are supported by clear, rational belief.

  • Origin in Human Nature:

    • Widespread belief in invisible, intelligent powers exists across cultures and throughout history, but variations are noted.

    • Some cultures reportedly lacked any religious sentiments, suggesting that the belief is not a universal instinct.

    • Contrast with universal instincts (self-love, affection, etc.), indicating that initial religious belief arises from secondary principles which may be influenced by various factors.

  • The Enquiry:

    • The present work will investigate the principles giving rise to the original belief and the external influencing accidents and causes.

§I: POLYTHEISM AS PRIMARY RELIGION

  • Thesis: Polytheism or idol worship was the first and most ancient religion of humanity.

  • Historical Evidence:

    • All of humanity around 1,700 years ago was predominantly polytheistic.

    • Historical records provide consistent evidence of early polytheistic beliefs.

    • No earlier, more perfected religion has been documented.

  • Polytheism Over Time:

    • Increased archaeological evidence as one examines ancient records suggests overall uniformity in polytheistic beliefs.

    • Objection to the notion that prior to civilization men had pure theistic beliefs lacks supporting evidence.

  • Savage Tribes:

    • Current savage tribes (e.g., in America, Africa, and Asia) uniformly exhibit idolater beliefs, further supporting the thesis.

    • Expectation of finding idolaters rather than theists in primitive societies.

  • Progress of Thought:

    • The logical progression of human thought suggests an initial grasp of familiar inferior powers before grasping a perfect being.

    • Suggestion that higher concepts are gradual achievements based on lower, flawed ideas.

    • A full understanding of the divine is believed to have developed over time; a sudden leap to theism from ignorance is deemed implausible.

  • Natural Object Familiarity:

    • Humans do not readily reflect on familiar objects (e.g., animals) to derive religious sentiment.

    • The extraordinary provokes inquiry; hence, the initial religious thoughts are likely born of unaccountable phenomena, not perfect wondered designs.

  • Influence of Nature:

    • Events depicted as influenced by different deities, fueling polytheistic beliefs; nature's phenomena evoke varying responses indicative of different gods responsible for human fortunes.

  • Human Passion and Inquiry:

    • Early human inquiry into nature is driven more by present concerns (merely survival, happiness) than by a desire for truth.

§II: ORIGIN OF POLYTHEISM

  • Exploration of Potential Religious Origins:

    • Polytheism's concept is propelled not by natural contemplation but human experiences of life's unpredictability.

  • Visibility of Nature:

    • Individual elements of daily life lead to concepts of unintelligent power.

    • Various human activities (war, weather, etc.) managed by specific deities correspond to focused areas of existence.

    • Example of events ascribed to certain deities: Juno at marriage, Neptune for sailors, and so forth.

  • Motivations for Inquiry:

    • Initial human inquiry into religion prompted by immediate concerns (satisfaction of needs, addressing fears, etc.), not philosophical curiosity.

    • Primary passions influencing belief involve anxiety about survival and the quest for favor from perceived deities.

  • Conclusion:

    • Polytheism rooted deeply within human nature, where direct and personal goals dictate religious practice over abstract contemplation.

§III: CONTINUATION OF THE TOPIC

  • Human Existence and Uncertainty:

    • Life described as a theater where unknown, unpredictable events dominate, heightening human dependence on perceived divinity.

  • Inferiority of Human Understanding:

    • Common descriptions of natural events personified, leading to imaginations that project human attributes onto the divine (malice, benevolence).

    • The allegory gives life to inanimate, natural forces thought to possess intelligence and similar passions.

  • Social and Moral Implications:

    • Veneration often extends to visible manifestations (stones, plants) perceived as divine, signifying the human tendency to seek connections.

    • There’s a natural inclination for religions to maintain rituals that induce awe, often fostering a bond between deity and worshipper.

§IV: DEITIES NOT CONSIDERED AS CREATORS

  • Focus on Divinities:

    • Universal acknowledgment of invisible power, but conflicting perspectives on their attributes (supreme versus subordinate).

    • Various expressions of divine beings permeate cultures, often influencing people's moral stability and behavior.

  • Example Systems:

    • Beliefs of past societies and cultures that often involved deities displaying flawed or petty human traits.

  • Cultural Accounts:

    • Portrayals of deities in mythology that collectively contribute to dominating powers viewed as fierce, unpredictable beings rather than rational divine entities responsible for cosmic order.

§V: VARIOUS FORMS OF POLYTHEISM

  • Deification of Nature:

    • The general tendency among early religions to attribute divinity to natural elements profoundly shaped polytheistic belief systems.

  • Anthropomorphism in Religion:

    • Traits associated with human experiences (anger, love) observed within gods, forming the bedrock for various mythologies.

  • Illustrative Myths and Allegories:

    • Exploration of the creation of legendary identities and stories (e.g., Cupid, Venus) that reiterate notions of divine agency governing human experiences.

  • Human Heroes as Gods:

    • The transition from heroic figures in society to apex deities reinforces societal values while embedding human traits into divinity.

§VI: ORIGIN OF THEISM FROM POLYTHEISM

  • Evolution of Beliefs:

    • Suggests that the monotheistic belief arises not purely through philosophical thought but through cultural and social evolution from earlier polytheistic systems.

  • Intersection of Cultures:

    • Historical transition from societies revering multiple gods to those recognizing a singular supreme deity over time.

    • Emphasis on divine authority linked back to moral purposes or national identity, which further complicates the flow from polytheistic worship.

§VII: CONFIRMATION OF THIS DOCTRINE

  • Observations on Worship:

    • The juxtaposition of historical and anecdotal evidence reveals the interplay between people's beliefs (polytheism) and the broader philosophical shift toward one god.

§VIII: FLUX AND REFLUX OF POLYTHEISM AND THEISM

  • Dynamic Nature of Belief Systems:

    • Historical trends demonstrating that societies move back and forth between polytheistic and theistic beliefs, reflecting human uncertainty and need for understanding.

§IX: COMPARISON OF THESE RELIGIONS

  • Toleration versus Persecution:

    • Exploration of how polytheistic religions tend to be more tolerant of other belief systems compared to theistic ones.

    • Historical reflections on political implications of religious identities, particularly during conflicts and societal upheavals.

§X: COURAGE OR ABASEMENT

  • Differences in Spiritual Responses:

    • The relationship between perceived divinity and moral conduct impacts societal courage and the nature of religious assertion.

§XI: REASON OR ABSURDITY IN RELIGION

  • Historical Perspectives:

    • Exploration of how the rationale undergirding religious beliefs has shifted and sometimes diverged from common sense or natural philosophy over time.

§XII: DOUBT OR CONVICTION

  • Complexity of Religious Faith:

    • Considerations regarding the spectrum of belief across cultures and how conviction often coexists with underlying doubts.

§XIII: IMPIOUS CONCEPTIONS IN RELIGIONS

  • Human Perceptions of Deity:

    • Analysis of how fear and praise construct conflicting views of deities, shaping morality and supernatural expectations.

§XIV: BAD INFLUENCE ON MORALITY

  • Destructive Religious Practices:

    • Examination of how popular religious practices can lead to moral corruption rather than promote virtue, highlighting the disconnect between intentions and actions.

§XV: GENERAL COROLLARY

  • Conclusion on Human Nature:

    • The inherent dread of uncertainty influences religious belief and moral conceptions, crafting a framework where both polytheism and theism coexist yet diverge in their impact on human society.