Estatua David Hume
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Royal Mile, the historic spine of Edinburgh's Old Town. We are standing before the bronze likeness of David Hume, an individual widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophers to have ever written in…
Listen in the app2The Philosopher's Robes — A Classical Statement
The choice of attire for this statue is a deliberate intellectual statement by the sculptor, Alexander Stoddart. Rather than depicting Hume in the 18th-century frock coat and wig he would have actually worn, Stoddart chose to…
Listen in the app3The Shiny Toe — A Secular Pilgrimage
The most curious feature of this monument is undoubtedly the shiny big toe. This tradition, which began shortly after the statue was unveiled, mirrors the practices of religious pilgrims who rub the toe of Saint Peter's statue in…
Listen in the app4The Empty Tablets — Rejecting Revelation
Look closely at the tablets Hume holds and the area beneath his feet. Unlike statues of religious leaders which might feature the Ten Commandments, Hume’s tablets are blank. …
Listen in the app5The Neighbor — Hume vs. John Knox
The placement of this statue is geographically and intellectually significant. Directly opposite us is St Giles' Cathedral, the 'High Kirk' of Edinburgh and the site where John Knox launched the Scottish Reformation. …
Listen in the app6Colonial Past — The Modern Controversy
In recent years, the statue of David Hume has become a focal point for a new kind of debate, focusing on 'Scotland's forgotten colonial past.' While Hume is celebrated for his philosophy, modern scholars have pointed to racist…
Listen in the app7The Plinth and the View — The Athens of the North
Finally, let us consider the vantage point from the base of the statue. Looking up the Royal Mile toward the Castle and down toward Holyrood, we see the architectural splendor that earned Edinburgh the title 'Athens of the…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our time with David Hume, we are reminded of his own words: 'Be a philosopher, but amidst all your philosophy, be still a man.' This statue captures that duality—the lofty thinker in his toga and the approachable…
Listen in the app
What is Estatua David Hume?
Estatua David Hume is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 55.9492, -3.1940 |
| Last updated |
