Hume and Hellenism

Hume and Hellenism

University of Florida, February 20–21, 2026

Organizers: Charles Goldhaber (UF Philosophy) and Aaron Zubia (UF Hamilton School)

David Hume (1711–1776) is often and rightfully regarded as one of the modern world’s most influential thinkers. His novel treatment of human beings as subjects of an empirical science paved the way to the social sciences and undergirded his many distinctively modern contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, morals, politics, religion, economics, and history.

Despite his well-earned image as a seminal Enlightenment thinker, Hume’s debt to ancient philosophy is difficult to overstate. This is particularly true for the Hellenistic sects, such as the Epicureans, Stoics, Neoplatonists, and Skeptics, both Academic and Pyrrhonian. From his youth, Hume encountered Hellenistic thought transmitted through the writings of Cicero. And for the remainder of his life, he would continue to admire, reject, and seek to transform diverse aspects of this thought. Arguably, a great deal of Hume’s creativity was sparked by the way he wrestled with Hellenistic thought and its Roman and early modern revivals.

This two-day conference brings together specialists in early modern philosophy, ancient philosophy, political theory, and intellectual history to reassess the extent and significance of Hume’s Hellenism. Speakers will address questions concerning Hume’s understanding of skepticism, his adaptation of Stoic and Epicurean ideals, his engagement with ancient models of flourishing, and his impersonation of Hellenistic figures in Essays, Moral, Political and Literary. By examining Hume’s Hellenism, the conference aims to shed new light on both Hume’s philosophical project and the broader dynamics of Enlightenment reception of the ancient world.

Friday, 2/20

All sessions in the Reitz Auditorium (2nd Floor of Reitz Union)

9:15–9:45 Coffee

9:45–10:00 Opening remarks

10:00–11:30 Hume’s Four Essays on Happiness

Speaker: Margaret Watkins (Providence College)*

“Sense and Insensibility: Reading the Four Essays on Happiness”

Commenter: Charles Goldhaber (UF Philosophy)

Chair: Colin Heydt (University of South Florida)

11:30–12:30 Lunch

12:30–2:00 Hume and Epicureanism

Speaker: John Thrasher (The Ohio State University)

“The Ends of Our Being: Hume on the Epicurean”

Commenter: J. Max Robitzsch (UF Philosophy)

Chair: Vivian Feldblyum (Auburn University)

2:00–2:30 Break

2:30–4:00 Keynote: Politics in Hume’s Essays

Speaker: Thomas Merrill (American University)

Chair: Aaron Zubia (UF Hamilton School)

4:00–5:30 Reception in Reitz Union, Room 3320 (3rd Floor)

6:00–7:30 Dinner

*funding support declined

Saturday, 2/21

First two sessions in the Reitz Auditorium (2nd Floor)

9:30–10:15 Coffee

10:15–11:45 Hume and Stoicism

Speaker: Getty Lustila (Northeastern University)

“But Does it Work? The Skeptical Strategy of Hume’s Essays on Happiness”

Commenter: David McPherson (UF Hamilton School)

Chair: Max Skjönsberg (UF Hamilton School)

11:45–1:00 Lunch

1:00–2:30 Hume and Platonism

Speaker: Elizabeth Radcliffe (College of William & Mary)

“Morality, Activity, and Happiness: Hume and the Platonist”

Commenter: John Palmer (UF Philosophy)

Chair: Nathan Rothschild (UF Philosophy)

2:30–3:00 Break

3:00–5:30 Panel: Hume and Ancient Skepticism

**New room: The Matthews Suite, Reitz Union, 4th Floor**

Speakers: Peter Fosl (Transylvania University)

“Hume and the Pyrrhonists on Common Life”

Tim Stuart-Buttle (University of York)

“Hume and Cicero, Revisited”

Commenters: Aaron Zubia (UF Hamilton School)

Anton Matytsin (UF History)

Chair: Brandon Warmke (UF Hamilton School)

5:30–5:45 Closing remarks

6:30–8:00 Dinner

Sunday, 2/22

8:45–11:15 Optional Wildlife Excursion

**Pick up and drop off at Conference Hotel**

All participants are invited to join a morning excursion to the La Chua Trailhead at Paynes Prairie (25 min drive) to view alligators and migratory birds.

The trail is paved/boardwalk. Comfortable footwear, a hat, and a water bottle are recommended. The parking lot has an outhouse and water fountain. RSVP by February 13.

Support

This conference is made possible by generous support from the Hamilton School and Philosophy Department at the University of Florida and the Hume Society.

People interested in attending may contact Charles Goldhaber ([email protected]) and/or Aaron Zubia ([email protected]).