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

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

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

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The Empiricists: HumeThe Empiricists: Hume

Theory of IdeasTheory of Ideas

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Page 2: 1 The Empiricists: Hume Theory of Ideas Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Human Understanding

3. Knowledge

5. Conclusion

Page 3: 1 The Empiricists: Hume Theory of Ideas Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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IntroductionIntroductionHume Hume

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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

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IntroductionIntroductionHume’s Philosophy Hume’s Philosophy

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Hume is a committed to empiricism and naturalism (against speculative systems). He is intending to be the Newton of Philosophy and Morals.

Main components:- Empiricism vs Metaphysical Systems- Naturalism: Hume and Newton- Empiricism and Skepticism- Hume and Religion

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Human Understanding

3. Knowledge

5. Conclusion

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Human Understanding Human Understanding StructureStructure

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

UNDERSTANDING

IMPRESSIONS IDEASSensation

Reflection

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Human Understanding Human Understanding Two LawsTwo Laws

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Copy Principle:All ideas are resolved into simple ideas copied from a simple impressionArgument: the blind man and the idea of color

Association of ideas:- Resemblance- Contiguity - Cause and effect

Natural and empirical laws of human nature.

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Human Understanding Human Understanding The Copy Principle Applied to PhilosophyThe Copy Principle Applied to Philosophy

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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!

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Human Understanding Human Understanding The missing shade of blueThe missing shade of blue

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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

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Conclusion Conclusion Hume’s theory of ideas Hume’s theory of ideas

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

(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

Page 11: 1 The Empiricists: Hume Theory of Ideas Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Human Understanding

3. Knowledge

5. Conclusion

Page 12: 1 The Empiricists: Hume Theory of Ideas Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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Human Understanding Human Understanding StructureStructure

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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’

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Human Understanding Human Understanding Laws of ReasoningLaws of Reasoning

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Relations of ideasThought 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?

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Conclusion Conclusion Hume’s theory of knowledgeHume’s theory of knowledge

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

(1) Relations of ideas – a priori reasoning(2) Matters of facts – observation, memory and causal

reasoning

Laws of nature – grounds for true knowledge ????