An Examination of David Hume’s Empiricism

David Hume’s Empiricism

Key Figures in Empiricism

The three key empiricists are: Locke, Berkeley, and Hume.

Hume’s Philosophical Stances

Does Hume accept empiricism and reject innate ideas? Yes.

Does Hume accept metaphysical empiricism? No.

Hume’s Treatise on Human Nature

Hume commented that his Treatise “fell dead-born from the press” due to its poor reception.

Hume’s Academic Challenges

Hume was twice denied a philosophy chair due to his avowed opposition to religion.

Influences on Hume’s Thinking

  • Newton
  • The Enlightenment
  • Empiricism

Hume and the Science of Human Nature

Like Newton in physics, Hume sought to understand human nature without resorting to ultimate causes. He believed the science of human nature is foundational to all other sciences, as they stem from mental processes.

Hume’s Methodological Recommendations

  • Avoid invoking occult powers of nature or the mind.
  • Rely solely on experience and observation.

The Motto “Exceed Aude”

“Exceed Aude” means “Dare to think”.

Hume’s Time in France

Hume spent a few years at La Flèche.

What science is the starting point for his philosophy? The Science of Human Nature.

In what century did Hume’s thought emerge? 18th Century.

Hume’s Concept of Self

Does Hume believe in a soul? No.

Hume defines the “thinking self” as a succession of states of consciousness and sensations.

How does Hume define substance? As a set of simple ideas united by the mind and assigned a name.

Simple and Complex Ideas and Impressions

Simple: A perception that is indivisible and directly presented in sensation.

Complex: A perception that can be divided into parts and has distinct features.

Hume’s View of God

Does Hume believe God is the cause of the world? No.

Does Hume believe God is the cause of the self? No.

Hume’s thought challenges the basis of traditional science.

Hume’s View of Faith and Forward-Looking Statements

How does Hume define faith? (The original text does not define faith.)

Forward-looking statements are invalid because we have no impression of the future.

Laws Governing the Movement from Simple to Complex Ideas

  • Similarity
  • Continuity in time and space
  • Cause and effect

Types of Knowledge According to Hume

  • Knowledge of relations of ideas: Concerns geometry, mathematics, and is based on the principle of contradiction.
  • Knowledge of matters of fact: Based on experience and probability.

Hume’s Empiricism and Experience

Does Hume’s empiricism accept ideas not based on experience? No.

What is the limit of knowledge? No impression, no knowledge.

Ideas and Impressions

The difference between ideas and impressions lies in intensity; impressions are more vivid than ideas.

Do all ideas derive from impressions? No.

What is the criterion of validity for categorical knowledge? No impression from experience, no knowledge.

Simple and Complex Ideas and Impressions Example

Where would you categorize “the memory of a green surface”? A simple idea.

Causal Inference

Is causal inference absolutely true knowledge? No.

How is knowledge of causal inference based? (The original text does not explain this.)

Is cause-and-effect discoverable through reason alone? No.

Can the existence of a material substance be deduced from reason? No.

Where do our impressions come from? Experience.

Hume’s Descriptive and Experiential Method

Hume’s experimental method is descriptive or experiential because it focuses on observing and describing human life and behavior.

Hume’s Phenomenal Theory

Hume’s theory is “phenomenal” because we only have knowledge of phenomena we experience through impressions.

Hume’s Interest in Morality

Hume was deeply interested in morality.

Is reason the foundation of moral judgments? No.

Why is a fact not moral? Facts are simply facts; moral judgments are based on internal feelings.

What is the role of reason in morality? Reason connects ideas but cannot motivate action.

Moral Emotivism

Moral emotivism holds that morality is determined by feelings, and moral judgments are based on emotions.

Steps of a Volitional Act

  1. Dilemma
  2. Deliberation
  3. Decision
  4. Action

Hume’s Philosophical Alignment

Hume identifies as an empiricist because he believes knowledge comes from experience.