hume (test 1) Flashcards
state Humes EET
all ideas are ultimately derived from previous impressions
according to Hume what differentiates impressions from ideas
someone cannot have an idea about x without having a previous impression of x or of the simpler components of x.
impressions
- impressions are more lively perceptions, when we hear, or see, feel, or love, or hate, or desire, or will. impressions are distinguished from ideas which are the less lively perceptions, of which we are conscious when we reflect on any of those sensations or moments.
why is the missing shade of blue problematic
it shows that someone could get an idea of something without having a previous impression of it, which is a problem for Humes EET.
relations of ideas
relations of ideas are things known simply by relating the relevant concepts/ideas
- relations of ideas are demonstratively certain, that is they can be arrived at through deductive reasoning
- the negation of any relation of ideas is inconceivable and contradictory
matters of fact
- things that cannot be known simply by relating ideas/concepts
- they require observation/experience
- matters of fact involve induction
- the negation of matters of fact is conceivable and non-contradictory
what is the uniformity thesis?
the future will resemble the past, at least in its most general operations
why is uniformity thesis important
UT is important because it justifies our inferences based on experience
why does appealing to UT cause problems
the only way to justify UT is by appealing to past experiences. however, UT is supposed to serve as justification for these past experiences. Appealing to UT as a justification for past experiences seems to be circular and indicates that all beliefs about matters of fact are unjustified.
what is inductive reasoning
inductive reasoning is drawing a conclusion about unobserved (including future) things from observed (including past) things
