David Hume’s Two Definitions of Cause Essay - 3281 Words

David Hume’s Two Definitions of Cause David Hume’s two definitions of cause found in both A Treatise of Human Nature, and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding have been the center of much controversy in regards to his actual view of causation. Much of the debate centers on the lack of consistency between the two definitions and also with the definitions as a part of the greater text. As for the latter objection, much of the inconsistency can be remedied by sticking to the account presented in the Enquiry, as Hume makes explicit in the Author’s Advertisement that the Treatise was a â€Å"work which the Author [Hume] had projected before he left College, and which he wrote and published not long after. But not finding it successful, he was†¦show more content†¦By using the content of the Enquiry against the claims of Robinson and Garrett, we can establish that what Hume said is what he meant, and what he would be content to stand by. Hume’s Enquiry is written as an evolving body of philosophical work that revises itself when needed, as it goes along. The format must be understood to fully appreciate the content. That being said, it is necessary to work through the concepts that led to Hume’s discussion of causation. The most suitable place to start is Hume’s Copy Principle. The Copy Principle is Hume’s empirical claim that all our ideas are mere copies of impressions drawn from the senses. Whereas the impressions are vivid and lively, the ideas pale in comparison. Hume uses an account of pain to illustrate this principle. â€Å"Everyone will readily allow, that there is a considerable difference between the perceptions of the mind, when a man feels the pain of excessive heat, or the pleasure of moderate warmth, and when afterwards recalls to his memory this sensation, or anticipates it by his imagination.† (Hume 1772, 12) One might think of the difference between a photocopy and an original to visualize the comparison between an idea and the impression that caused it. The photocopy will never have such sharp contrast or clarity that theShow MoreRelatedDavid Hume s Bundle 1041 Words   |  5 PagesB. Introduction to David Hume’s ‘bundle’ (written as a reply to Descartes) The silhouette of a subject was drawn by a council of moments and David Hume named it an illusion, humanity named it the self. In the modern ages of philosophy while Rene Descartes’ affect still remains eminent, David Hume comes with an argument which kills the I Descartes created and lets it fly as a ghost in human perception. Not only in the case of the subject, the contrast between Hume’s and Descartes’ ideas can be seenRead MoreWealth Of Nations By Adam Smith1574 Words   |  7 Pagesto assess the morality of these arguments, David Hume’s definition of morality and Kant’s definition of morality can be used. These definitions, ultimately, serve as context for Smith’s arguments, so that there is a clearer idea of whether they are moral or not. From this, modern readers of Smith’s book can better determine the positive and negative qualities of Smith’s idea of free-trade. Kant’s definition of morality contrasts with Hume’s definition. 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He stated since he exists and his idea of what a perfect being is, such as God, then God exists. Hume, on the other had, believed ideas came only from one thing, impressions. Both theories have their strengths and weaknesses but I like Humes theory better than DescartesRead MoreKants Transcendental Problem: How is Natural Science Possible?1403 Words   |  6 Pagesexample, Mark’s concept of cause and effect is not derived from the fact that he has observed through experience that striking a match causes a flame. Instead Mark’s thought process of linking cause and effect to the match was inherent before the experience. Kant writes, â€Å"I have sufficiently shown that they (concepts) and the principles derived from them are firmly established a priori (without experience)† (Kant 687L). Thus, the fact that Mark’s mind linked the concept of cause and effect, was not thatRead MoreDavid Humes Theory of Causality Essay2072 Words   |  9 Pagesor the Egg? David Hume moves through a logical progression of the ideas behind cause and effect. He critically analyzes the reasons behind those generally accepted ideas. Though the relation of cause and effect seems to be completely logical and based on common sense, he discusses our impressions and ideas and why they are believed. Hume’s progression, starting with his initial definition of cause, to his final conclusion in his doctrine on causality. As a result, it proves how Hume’s argument onRead MoreComparing Aristotle And David Hume1156 Words   |  5 PagesThere are two significant empiricists I’m going to focus on, Aristotle and David Hume. Specifically, the focus is on their ethics: what those ethics are, how they differ from each other, and which is superior. Superiority will be determined by the philosophy’s usefulness—whether the epitome of a philosophy’s virtue is attainable by man; and how conducive the philosophy is to human happiness. In both of these respects, Aristotle is superior to Hume. To Aristotle, ethics is not an exact science, it’sRead MoreEvil And The Existence Of Evil Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pagesand cause a great uproar to the existence of a powerful, omnipotent, and omniscient being. The definition of evil is the absence of good while the definition of a miracle is an unexpected, beneficial event. These definitions have counter arguments which include the questioning off both the existence of evil, the existence of a powerful being, and miracles. Evil no doubt has a strong presence and many theologians try to comprehend and offer a solution to the existence of evil. Evil has two formsRead More Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume Essay1279 Words   |  6 Pagesencompasses the thoughts that are not believed. These definitions seem redundant when viewed as so, but further examination of Hume’s framework sheds light on the meaning of what he attempts to establish concerning belief. In order to fully understand the difference between belief and fiction, Hume’s definition of thought must first be studied. Hume splits perceptions of the mind into two sections – impressions and ideas – and the distinctions between the two are significant (Hume, 18). For Hume, the mostRead MoreHume vs. Plato on Knowledge: A Comparative Analysis1541 Words   |  6 Pagesto establish the boundaries of what can be known. His ideas have had an immense influence on successive philosophers as well as Western Civilization as a whole. David Hume, who came over two millennia after Plato, represents perhaps the most relevant attempt to establish the boundaries of what can be known. Thesis: According to Humes position on ideas and causation, the existence of Platos Forms and Knowledge cannot be proved because they cannot be observed. The reason they cannot be observed