History of Ideas

Question 1

david hume’s philosophy (4)

Answer 1

• problem of inductive reasoning (can’t assume future will look like past)
• sentimentalist/anti-rationalist (morals/ethics): “reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions”
• hume’s law / is-ought problem
• argument from design for god’s existence

Question 2

david hume’s career

Answer 2

born 1711
- work: tutor, secretary, and univ of edinburgh librarian

writings (age)

• 23-28: a treatise of human nature
• 37-40s: enquiry concerning human understanding and … concerning the principles of morals and essays
• 40s: histories of england

Question 3

francis bacon ideas

Answer 3

• ## “father of” scientific method (and empiricism/inductive reasoning)

Question 4

francis bacon career

Answer 4

born 1561
writings (age at pub)
- novum organum (59)

Question 5

novum organum ideas (bacon)

Answer 5

• inductive reasoning: fact -> axiom -> physical law
• 4 idols of false tendencies that distort the truth … tribe=, den=individual, marketplace=misuse of language, theater=philosophical dogmas