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1
The Empiricists: HumeThe Empiricists: Hume
Theory of IdeasTheory 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
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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
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OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
1. Introduction
2. Human Understanding
3. Knowledge
5. Conclusion
12
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 ????