Chapter 136 – David Hume, Philosopher

James Hogg and I sit in Parliament Square with the Law Courts building in front of us, holding the College of Justice, the pinnacle of the Scottish Legal System.

“James, this building holds both the Court of Session, Scotland’s supreme civil court, and the High Court of Justiciary, Scotland’s supreme criminal court.”, I said.

“The Act of Union 1707 states the College of Justice will ‘remain in all time coming’. The Parliament may have gone, but this institution will remain forever.”, said James.

“The Monarchs of Scotland designed an institution, which is now the envy of the world.”

The doors burst open. A scurrying mass departs, discussing the civil case of the James Robb estate.

“This ground was trodden by David Hume, a precocious talent, who followed his brother to Edinburgh University at the age of ten, studying Latin and Greek, while reading history, philosophy and maths.”, I said.

“An impressive education?”

“Hume eventually became the Librarian of the Edinburgh Faculty of Advocates, and over his lifetime developed theories centred on empiricism, which means all concepts, propositions and beliefs derive from experience, and scepticism, which challenges the reliability of knowledge.”

“Another lesson?”

“Today, you will learn something, which is the foundation of tomorrow’s ideas. The best ideas use evidence-based facts.”

“If that is the second, where is the third?”

“Geology?”