| Popis: |
Of England during his own time, David Hume thought that one could affirm justly, and without any danger of exaggeration, that it enjoyed “the most entire system of liberty, that ever was known amongst mankind.”1 His History of England is the story of how this remarkable and unprecedented system of liberty came into being. The theme of liberty, above all other themes, gives continuity to Hume’s detailed examination of English constitutional development from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Revolution in 1688. The main lessons that he wishes to draw and the major errors of interpretation that he wishes to correct have to do with liberty. In raising the question of liberty, therefore, we go directly to the heart of Hume’s historical enterprise and open up the possibility of understanding English history as he meant for it to be understood. |
