David Hume was an influential Scottish philosopher known for his empirical approach to human understanding. He argued that knowledge arises from sensory experiences and that our beliefs are shaped by habits rather than rationality. His skepticism about religion and metaphysics challenged traditional views and laid the groundwork for modern philosophy. Hume's work also extended to ethics and human psychology, where he explored the nature of emotions and moral judgments. His ideas on causation and the limits of human reason continue to resonate in contemporary philosophical discussions, making him a central figure in the Scottish Enlightenment and a precursor to later thinkers like Immanuel Kant.