The Empiricists Hume Theory of Ideas Soazig Le

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

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

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 3

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 4

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

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

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 7

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 8

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 9

Conclusion Hume’s theory of ideas (1) Impressions (2) Ideas : sensation and reflection (3) 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 10

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

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 12

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 13

Conclusion Hume’s theory of knowledge (1) Relations of ideas – a priori reasoning (2) Matters of facts – observation, memory and causal reasoning Laws of nature – grounds for true knowledge ? ? Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 14