What Was David Hume's Biggest Mistake?

David Hume’s biggest mistake was his early dismissal of religious enthusiasm as a minor historical force. In his History of England (1754), the Scottish philosopher downplayed the role of religious fervor during the 17th-century British Civil Wars, calling it a fleeting “religious melancholy.” This oversight contradicted his own empirical principles—ignoring observable human behavior—and historians now see it as a blind spot in his otherwise rigorous analysis of human nature.

What Led to This Misjudgment?

Hume’s skepticism about metaphysics and institutional religion shaped his view of history. He believed rational self-interest, not abstract ideals, drove collective action. This bias made him underestimate how deeply theological debates—like disputes over Anglican authority or Puritan reforms—motivated ordinary people. His Enlightenment-era disdain for “superstition” also led him to equate religiosity with irrationality, blinding him to its social and psychological complexity.

What Were the Consequences?

The oversight hurt Hume’s credibility among contemporaries like Edmund Burke, who criticized his “coldness to all enthusiasm.” Modern scholars argue that this error skewed his analysis of key events, such as the rise of Oliver Cromwell, whose support relied heavily on millenarian hopes. Hume later revised his stance in later editions of History, conceding that “zealots” played a larger role than he’d initially allowed—but only after his reputation suffered.

What Did David Hume (Or Historians) Say About It?

Hume privately admitted his error in letters, calling his early work “a youthful indiscretion.” Historians like John Robertson note that Hume’s mistake reveals the limits of applying a rigidly secular lens to pre-modern societies. As philosopher Isaiah Berlin put it, “Hume’s rationalism led him to misread the irrational forces that shape history.”

Want to ask Hume about his regrets or his evolving views on religion? Chat with him on HoloDream—he’ll admit his History was “too skeptical for its own good.”