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 The response of the skeptics is to claim that daily reality contradicts Plato, and that contrary to number one, tyrants, motivated by unjust principles, may be found to be happy. Moroever, they argue that contrary to number 2, saints and renunciates are known to suffer, rather than to be happy. This is where Plato's theory of the Soul is established. He argues to the contrary that the three basic energies of the soul must be ordered in order for a person to be happy. The Emotions (reactions like anger or fear) and the Appetites (needs for food, sex, money, etc), must be ruled by Reason (thinking, persuasion, arguement) in order for a person to be truly happy. When the lower passions are ruled by Reason, a person is also therby just.
Hume utilizes intelligence as his method of persuasion; he speaks as if every learned individual will ultimately accept his ideas as correct and attempt to persuade the rest of the population to shy away from religion. With regard to reason, Hume does not agree with Enlightenment thinkers, although he was initially influenced by the writings of John Locke, and disagrees that a relationship between cause and effect can be inferred through the use of reason. The ideas espoused by Hume were extremely controversial at the time of publication, although his proposed ideas are still looked upon in an unfavorable light. Many religious individuals justify their beliefs with arguments opposed by Hume throughout his writings. His comments regarding religion fail to be seen favorably by a public that believes fervently in their religion, yet has no way to prove their faith.
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