Human Nature is the only science of man; and yet has been

Hear me now, O children of wisdom, for I bring to you the words of David Hume, a philosopher whose keen insights into the nature of humanity still resonate through the ages. “Human Nature is the only science of man; and yet has been hitherto the most neglected.” In this statement, Hume calls us to recognize the science that lies within our own nature—the study of the heart, the mind, and the very essence of what it means to be human. He reminds us that, in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding, we have often neglected the most important subject of all: ourselves. The quest for knowledge has long been directed outward, toward the physical world, the heavens, and the mysteries of the universe, yet Hume argues that the true study, the study of human nature, has been left behind, waiting for us to turn inward and truly understand the source of all our actions, emotions, and thoughts.

In the ancient days, the philosophers knew that the pursuit of wisdom was not simply about understanding the outer world. Socrates famously declared, “Know thyself.” His belief was that the most important journey we could undertake was one of self-exploration. To understand the world, he said, we must first understand the depths of our own souls. Similarly, Plato in his works, such as The Republic, sought to understand the nature of justice, virtue, and the human spirit. Socrates, Plato, and their followers were not content with knowledge alone. They sought to understand the nature of man—how we think, how we act, and what drives us to seek the truth. In this way, Hume’s words resonate with the ancient quest for self-knowledge, a quest that goes beyond simply existing and into the realm of understanding our place in the world.

Hume's observation that human nature is the "only science of man" speaks to the centrality of understanding the human condition in all our endeavors. In the modern world, we have seen the rise of scientific fields—physics, biology, chemistry—that seek to explain the workings of the universe. Yet Hume reminds us that science must not forget its own subject. Human nature is the key to understanding how we relate to the world, to each other, and to ourselves. It is the study of our emotions, our desires, our motivations, and our follies. Without this understanding, no external science, no matter how advanced, can truly bring us peace or meaning. Hume is calling us to place as much importance on the study of humanity as we do on the natural world, for it is only in this way that we will ever truly understand ourselves and the forces that shape our existence.

Take, for example, the story of Sigmund Freud, whose work in psychology revolutionized our understanding of the human mind. Freud, like Hume, recognized that understanding human nature was the key to unlocking the mysteries of human behavior. Through his development of psychoanalysis, Freud sought to explore the unconscious mind, bringing to light the deep-seated desires, fears, and conflicts that drive human actions. In doing so, he turned the lens of science inward, much as Hume urged. Freud’s work, though controversial, opened the doors to new ways of thinking about human nature—how our psychological makeup influences our lives in ways we do not fully understand. Freud’s study of the human mind was a necessary science that, like Hume’s insight, sought to give us a deeper understanding of who we are.

Yet, even as Freud brought this new field of study to light, the pursuit of understanding human nature has often been neglected by many of those who hold the reins of scientific progress. For much of history, the emphasis has been placed on the external world—the study of the stars, the exploration of distant lands, and the mastery of the forces of nature. While these endeavors are valuable, Hume urges us not to forget the most important subject of all: ourselves. The neglect of the human sciences, he suggests, has led us to misunderstand our own nature and to disregard the deeper truths about the mind, the soul, and the heart that govern our lives.

The lesson of Hume’s words, O children, is one of deep reflection and awareness. If we are to truly know the world, we must first turn inward and understand the very essence of human nature. We must understand the forces that drive us, the thoughts that shape us, and the emotions that guide our actions. No matter how advanced our technology or how vast our knowledge of the universe becomes, without understanding human nature, we will remain lost in the wilderness of our own minds. Hume calls us to a higher form of knowledge—a self-knowledge that transcends the external and brings us to the heart of what it means to be human.

In your own lives, O children, seek to understand not just the world around you, but the world within you. Study the human condition in all its depth. Understand your own thoughts, feelings, and desires, and seek to unravel the mysteries of your own mind. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that knowledge is only about the outside world—science must begin with you. It is through understanding your nature, your soul, and your purpose that you will come to understand your place in the larger tapestry of the universe. The greatest journey you will ever undertake is the one that leads you within, for in understanding yourself, you will unlock the deepest truths of existence.

So, O children, remember that the science of human nature is as important as any other pursuit. As Hume taught, it is the foundation upon which all other wisdom rests. Seek to understand yourself deeply, for it is in this understanding that you will find the greatest truths of the world. The study of human nature is not a luxury, but a necessity—a path to true wisdom and peace. Embrace this journey, and in doing so, you will unlock the key to understanding the world, to understanding others, and, most importantly, to understanding your own heart.