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The Idea of Chivalry in the Scottish Enlightenment: The Case of David Hume
- Hume Studies
- Hume Society
- Volume 33, Number 1, April 2007
- pp. 155-178
- 10.1353/hms.2011.0284
- Article
- Additional Information
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It is generally assumed that in early modern Britain, chivalry—allegedly typified by the Crusades—was considered a negative or even ridiculous ideology until its rehabilitation by the pre-Romantic movement. However, this paper argues that Hume and other Scottish Enlightenment thinkers had already shown a deep interest in its historical role and influence on modern civilization. That Hume shared a broad interest in chivalry with contemporary philosophers does not undermine the novelty of his thought on this topic. In fact, the pioneering and unique aspects of his contributions can be clarified by setting them in context.