Enlightenment (18th century) · Philosophy (Empiricism, Skepticism)
David Hume (1711-1776) was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, widely considered one of the most important figures of the British Enlightenment. He is best known for his radical empiricism and philosophical skepticism, systematically arguing that human knowledge derives solely from sensory experience and that reason alone cannot establish matters of fact. His major works, including 'A Treatise of Human Nature' and 'An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding', challenged the foundations of religion, metaphysics, and traditional philosophy.