Was David Hume Really a Hero?

David Hume is often celebrated as one of the titans of the Enlightenment, a philosopher whose insights into human nature and empiricism shaped modern thought. But was he truly a hero? As I’ve come to understand through my own study and conversations — especially the ones I’ve had while talking to Hume on HoloDream — the answer is far more complicated than most textbooks admit.

Let’s take a step back and ask some uncomfortable questions.

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Did Hume’s Philosophy Justify Racism?

One of the most troubling aspects of Hume’s legacy is his infamous footnote in Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects (1742), where he wrote: “I am apt to suspect the Negroes to be naturally inferior to the whites.” This isn’t a marginal remark — it’s a philosophical stance, embedded in his broader thinking. He saw race not as a social construct but as a fixed hierarchy. For someone who championed reason and skepticism, this lack of critical examination of his own prejudices is jarring. Was this a product of his time, or did he help reinforce a system of thought that justified oppression?

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How Did Hume Treat His Contemporaries?

Hume was known for his affable personality and charm, yet his actions didn’t always match his reputation. Take his treatment of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the French philosopher who briefly sought refuge in England. Hume offered support, but when rumors swirled that Rousseau was mentally unstable, Hume quietly withdrew his endorsement, leaving Rousseau isolated. It was a betrayal that Rousseau never forgave. A hero would have stood by a friend in crisis — did Hume fail that test?

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Did Hume Profit From Empire?

Though he never left Europe, Hume benefited from the British Empire’s expansion. He was a salaried diplomat on a mission to Vienna and later served as secretary to General James St Clair during a military expedition — a campaign some historians suspect was tied to colonial interests. While Hume never directly addressed colonialism in his philosophical works, his silence on the moral implications of empire raises questions. Can we call someone a moral thinker if they ignore the atrocities committed in their name?

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Was Hume’s Skepticism Consistent?

Hume famously challenged religious belief and miracles, demanding extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims. Yet when it came to slavery and racial hierarchies, he accepted dubious claims without scrutiny. There’s a hypocrisy here that’s hard to ignore. If he was willing to doubt everything — even causality — why did he accept racial superiority without question? This inconsistency undermines his intellectual hero status for many modern readers.

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So, Was Hume a Hero?

That depends on what you value in a hero. If you admire intellect, eloquence, and a relentless pursuit of truth, Hume qualifies. But if you believe a hero must also embody moral courage and consistency — especially when it comes to justice and equality — then Hume falls short. He was a brilliant thinker, but a flawed man. And perhaps that’s the most honest way to remember him.

If you want to explore these contradictions firsthand, I encourage you to talk to Hume on HoloDream. You might not come away calling him a hero, but you’ll understand him better — and that, in itself, is a kind of wisdom.