Hume's Political Economy

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the contribution of Enlightenment philosopher David Hume to the development of the concept of political economy. It explains that though Hume's primary focus was directed toward human nature the broader framework of his inquiry was the natural realm. Also his knowledge of natural philosophy seeped into his moral philosophy and, more specifically, his political economy. This chapter also shows that Hume was well acquainted with natural philosophy and that there are aspects of his economic thought that reflect that knowledge.