Dialogues Concerning Natural ReligionDialogues Concerning Natural Religion is a philosophical work by the Scottish philosopher David Hume. Through dialogue, three philosophers named Demea, Philo, and Cleanthes debate the nature of God's existence. Whether or not these names reference specific philosophers, ancient or otherwise, remains a topic of scholarly dispute. While all three agree that a god exists, they differ sharply in opinion on God's nature or attributes and how, or if, humankind can come to knowledge of a deity. |
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abstruse absurd adjusted allow analogy ancient animal anthropomorphites appear argument argument from design art and contrivance ascribe assert atheist attributes belief benevolence body cause cavils Cicero circumstances common conjecture continued Philo Copernican system creatures David Hume Deity difficulties dispute Divine effects Epicurus eternity evil existence experience faculties finite give greater Hermippus Hesiod Human legs human reason Hume's hypothesis ideas imagine imperfect inference infinite insist instances intelligence least mankind manner matter melancholy misery moral natural theology necessity never objects observe operations opinion origin pain Pamphilus particular perfect phenomena philosophical philosophical scepticism philosophical theism pleasure polytheism powers present pretend principles priori produce proofs prove Pyrrhonic regard religious replied Cleanthes replied Demea replied Philo resemblance scepticism seems sense sensible sentiments similar sophism species superstition suppose supposition Supreme supreme intelligence theism theology theory thought tion topics truth universe unknown vegetation vulgar whole