This book investigates the core question of whether David Hume truly advocated for a regularity theory of causation or if he maintained a belief in objective causal influence. Galen Strawson, a prominent philosopher known for his work on metaphysics and the philosophy of mind, utilizes a rigorous textual analysis of Hume’s primary writings to challenge the prevailing academic consensus. He argues that the standard interpretation of Hume as a skeptic who denies causal power is fundamentally flawed and that Hume’s actual position is far more nuanced regarding the limits of human knowledge.

Scholars and philosophers frequently cite this work as a significant intervention in Humean studies that forces a reconsideration of long-held interpretive dogmas. Readers often note the high level of academic density and the meticulous nature of Strawson’s argumentation.