The Empiricists: Hume Theory of Ideas

1. The Empiricists: Hume Theory of Ideas Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

2. 1. Introduction Outline 2. Human Understanding 3. Knowledge 5. Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

3. Introduction Hume • Life: • (1711-1776) – Calvinist family • Education and Projects “A new scene of thought” • Carrier • Works: • Treatise of Human Nature • Enquiries Concerning Human Undersanding • Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

4. Introduction Hume’s Philosophy • Main components: • Empiricism vs Metaphysical Systems • Naturalism: Hume and Newton • Empiricism and Skepticism • Hume and Religion  Hume is a committed to empiricism and naturalism (against speculative systems). He is intending to be the Newton of Philosophy and Morals. Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

5. 1. Introduction Outline 2. Human Understanding 3. Knowledge 5. Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

6. Human Understanding Structure UNDERSTANDING IMPRESSIONS IDEAS Sensation Reflection Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

7. Human Understanding Two Laws Copy Principle: All ideas are resolved into simple ideas copied from a simple impression Argument: the blind man and the idea of color • Association of ideas: • Resemblance • Contiguity • Cause and effect • Natural and empirical laws of human nature. Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

8. Human Understanding The Copy Principle Applied to Philosophy Copy Principle: All ideas are resolved into simple ideas copied from a simple impression By the converse: Any idea which cannot be traced back to a set of simple ideas / copies of impressions is meaningless !! • A radical way to solve many philosophical disputes! Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

9. Human Understanding The missing shade of blue Objection to the Copy Principle: The missing shade of blue Hume’s answer: “singular case”  unsatisfactory • A better Answer: • Mental paint mixing • Not for metaphysical ideas Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

10. Conclusion Hume’s theory of ideas • Impressions • Ideas : sensation and reflection • Copy Principle and its consequences • Empiricism: all knowledge comes from experience • Naturalism: empirical laws of nature • But Skepticism: strict limits to our understanding Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

11. 1. Introduction Outline 2. Human Understanding 3. Knowledge 5. Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

12. Human Understanding Structure KNOWLEDGE • RELATIONS OF IDEAS • A priori • Opposite  Contradiction • `The sum of the angles …” • MATTERS OF FACTS • A posteriori • Opposite conceivable • `The sun will rise tomorrow’ Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

13. Human Understanding Laws of Reasoning Relations of ideas Thought alone – nothing can be shown to be false unless it implies contradiction • Matters of facts • Observation • Memory • Reasoning in terms of causes and effects (dorms) • What are the grounds of our causal reasoning? Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

14. Conclusion Hume’s theory of knowledge • Relations of ideas – a priori reasoning • Matters of facts – observation, memory and causal reasoning •  Laws of nature – grounds for true knowledge ???? Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana