AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING HUMAN UNDERSTANDING

Hugh Ross reads Hume's brief but important philosophical tract as the philosopher himself might, thinking his ideas through as he speaks, explaining them in an avuncular fashion, sounding as if he's anxious to make them understood--while his skeptical inquiry devastatingly undermines cause and effect, free will, miracles, and skepticism. Ross's use of intonation, emphasis, and expressiveness to mirror and, in a way, explicate the sense of the text is highly skilled. His British-accented voice is pleasant and clear, and his manner accessible, fitting Hume's essayistic tone and famous clarity of style (though the arguments do demand close attention). Hume's writing and Ross's expressive rendering make listening to this text an enjoyable, thought-provoking walk to the edge of an epistemological cliff and over. W.M. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2015]