Louis Loeb

Professor Loeb's Stability and Justification in Hume's Treatise (Oxford, 2002) attributes to Hume a constructive epistemological theory, with Hume overestimating the extent to which the theory leads to skeptical or destructive conclusions. There are several associated articles: on the implications of Hume's account of normativity for his sentimentalist ethical theory, the Kemp Smith interpretation of Hume, the contours of epistemic commitment in the Treatise, Hume's posture toward inductive inference, and his relationship to Locke, Berkeley, and Reid. Reflection and the Stability of Belief: Essays on Descartes, Hume, and Reid (Oxford, 2010) includes an introduction that updates and consolidates this prior work on Hume’s approach to justification.

In his most recent research (slated for publication in 2026 and beyond), Professor Loeb seeks to develop a philosophical rather than predominantly literary or prudential explanation of main differences between the Treatise and first Enquiry. Related work seeks to establish that Hume anticipates the results of dual process theories, and more especially modular theories, of the structure of the mind. The modular features of Hume’s psychological theory shed considerable light on his epistemology and its development, and on the full breadth of his case against Cartesian rationalism.

Earlier articles address the role of settled and unshakable belief in Hume, but also in ancient skepticism, Peirce, and Descartes – with special attention to the problem of the Cartesian circle. In other work, Professor Loeb has explored dissimulation in the Meditations, Descartes' account of mind-body interaction, Hume's second thoughts about personal identity, and his treatment of the idea of necessary connection.

Professor Loeb's first book, From Descartes to Hume: Continental Metaphysics and the Development of Modern Philosophy (Cornell, 1981), provides a sustained critique of the distinction between British empiricism and continental rationalism in early modern philosophy, with special attention to doctrines of causation and substance. Professor Loeb delivered the American Philosophical Association's Patrick Romanell Lecture on Philosophical Naturalism for 2006-2007.