David Hume was an 18th-century Scottish philosopher, historian, and economist, known for his influential works in the field of empiricism and skepticism. He argued that human knowledge arises from sensory experiences and that reason is often guided by emotions. His ideas challenged traditional views of philosophy and laid the groundwork for modern thought. Hume is best known for his writings, including A Treatise of Human Nature and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. He explored topics such as causation, morality, and the nature of belief, significantly impacting later philosophers, including Immanuel Kant and the development of modern philosophy.