Why does it have to be complicated? - Zane Duke

Hello friends. What a wonderful evening we find ourselves sitting in. Here's what I think, or at least the idea that I have come across after conversing about the writing style of Hume with my peers. My only issue with Hume and his style is that I simply don't understand why things have to be so overdone.

Now you may dislike me for saying that, but just hear me out for a simple moment. Veterans (if you're reading this), think back to the time that we read the Summa Theologia by Thomas Aquinas and consider the real, down-to-earth, fact-based and sensible take on finding out the truth of important matters concerning religion. Now let us take a quick look at Hume. Instead of directly discussing matters at hand, he uses 4 characters ranging from all different viewpoints to have one gigantic argument with each other. The language used is very flowery and at times (for a simpleton such as I) hard to follow. All in all, what this work boils down to is a lot like jazz to a normal pop listener. It's good, and there is obvious knowledge and wisdom and excellence within, but as for what is actually happening in the book, I won't be able to very well explain it to someone else.

Now as for my opinion, the only person that it probably really means anything to is me, myself, and I.
At this very moment, I am doing my best to process what is going on here. And hopefully, maybe I will. Until then, enjoy a wonderful glass of *real* chocolate milk, and chilax.

See you all tomorrow friends!

I commented on Gabby and Abbie's posts.

Comments

Joshua Evers said…
The dialogues can be a bit confusing to understand and follow, but I think Hume was also appealing to the nostalgia it brings to the table. His writings are highly intellectual, for this time period and especially his own. There are many assertions I'm sure flew over my head as I read Hume. Thankfully we can ask loads of questions in Honors and enjoy the attempts to understand!
Moriah Nelson said…
I wonder if Hume intended to write, specifically, for an audience seeking to be enlightened and not just the everyday consumer. It makes me think of when Jesus would speak in parables and those who were truly seeking the Messiah could begin to connect the pieces but those whose hearts were already closed to Him couldn't understand the teaching. I think in a way, Hume was guarding his beliefs so that those who would truly benefit from reading his work would be able to discern but those who would take it out of proportion simply would not bother even reading it.
Jamie Peters said…
What is up with the language in this?! The editor of this manuscript said at the beginning that he edited it so that is would conform to modern language, but this is still as foreign as the writing on the Declaration of Independence! In all seriousness, though, I think that Hume was trying to appeal to the higher ups with this work, not everybody. He probably thought that if the change started in the educated and mighty, influence would trickle down into the lower class of the people.