Philosophy 101
Study questions:  Hume's Dialogues... Parts X and XI


1.  In Part X, Philo and Demea begin by discussing the prevalence of misery in human life
       and more generally in the universe as a whole.  What is Philo's purpose in emphasizing
       misery in this way?  (How does Demea's purpose differ?)

2.  In what way does the presence of misery (or evil) in the world present a problem for
       Cleanthes' argument?  How does Cleanthes try to address this challenge?

3.  In Part XI, Philo refers to what he takes to be "four circumstances" that he thinks are
       responsible for most human misery (66).  What are these four, and what conclusion
       does he draw from his discussion of them?

4.  Philo argues that the presence of evil in the world presents a particular problem for
       Cleanthes' argument from design.  Why is this?  How do you think Cleanthes might
       best try to address this problem?