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The Empiricists: HumeThe Empiricists: Hume

Induction, Causation, Induction, Causation, SkepticismSkepticism

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Inductive Inference and causation

3. Humean Skepticism

4. Conclusion

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IntroductionIntroductionThe Problem of Hume’s SkepticismThe Problem of Hume’s Skepticism

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Hume is not endorsing any form of dogmatic skepticism, but a “mitigated” skepticism. Our goal is to understand what this means

Hume’s theory of knowledge- Empiricism and Naturalism - Consequence : Skepticism – but to what extent?

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Inductive Inference and causation

3. Humean Skepticism

4. Conclusion

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The Problem of InductionThe Problem of Induction

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Our expectations about the future and the idea of uniformity of nature are not well-founded. Unless… our ideas of causes and effects, of necessary connections were well grounded?

At stake:Justification of our expectations of the future (based on our sole experience of the past and present) ?

The Problem:- No a priori justification- No a posteriori justification – circular argument

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Causation Causation Negative PhaseNegative Phase

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

No experience of connection (even less necessary) – words without meaning?

Copy PrincipleMeaning = simple impression from which the idea is a copyCause, or necessary connection: from which impression do these idea come from?

The Problem:- Not from sensation: no sensory experience of connection – only conjunction- Not from reflection – no reflective experience of connection – neither in its interaction with the body, nor in its interaction with the ideas

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Causation Causation Positive PhasePositive Phase

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

If not from our experience of some connection, where does the ideas of cause an effect, power and necessary connection come from????Text Analysis

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Inductive Inference and causation

3. Humean Skepticism

4. Conclusion

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Previous Forms of SkepticismPrevious Forms of Skepticism

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Some arguments are convincing, but how far should we taken them?

Descartes’ skepticism- Cartesian doubt impossible - If it were, would be incurable

Montaigne’s skepticism- Senses unreliable: unconvincing- Problem of representationalism: convincing

Berkeley’s skepticismBoth primary and secondary qualities exist in the mind only -- convincing

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Against Excessive SkepticismAgainst Excessive Skepticism

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

So, what should we do?

Excessive skepticism concerning reasonSelf-contradictory

Excessive skepticism concerning the sensesNeither convincing nor beneficial – a joke

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Hume’s Mitigated SkepticismHume’s Mitigated Skepticism

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

“The whimsical condition of mankind”-Skepticism and modesty

Philosophy restricted to the domain of experience“the reflection of common life, methodized and corrected”

Abstract sciences: quantities onlyAny other matter induces verbal disputes

Empirical sciences: probability onlyNo system can be proved to be true / false

Burning worthless books?

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OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction

2. Inductive Inference and causation

3. Humean Skepticism

4. Conclusion

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Hume : ConclusionHume : Conclusion

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

(1) Empiricism and Naturalism (2) The limits of Human Understanding(3) Most importantly : induction, causation (also: personal

identity, freedom etc) (4) Mitigated Skepticism