David Hume's Theory of Knowledge

855 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: David Hume's theory of knowledge

Knowledge is gained only through experience, and experiences only exist in the mind as individual units of thought. This theory of knowledge belonged to David Hume, a Scottish philosopher. Hume was born on April 26, 1711, as his family’s second son. His father died when he was an infant and left his mother to care for him, his older brother, and his sister. David Hume passed through ordinary classes with great success, and found an early love for literature. He lived on his family’s estate, Ninewells, near Edinburgh. Throughout his life, literature consumed his thoughts, and his life is little more than his works. By the age of 40, David Hume had been employed twice and had failed at the family careers, business and law. Occasionally, he served on diplomatic missions in France and other countries. Hume’s major work, A Treatise of Human Nature, was not well understood when first published, and received much criticism. The first two volumes were published in 1739, and the third in 1740. Immanuel Kant and other philosophers did notice his work and began respecting Hume for his reasoning. Later, he republished the first and third volumes as An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, and An Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals in 1748 and 1751 respectively. The second volume was used as Part 2 of Four Dissertations in 1757. “During his lifetime Hume’s reputation derived from the publ...

Show More
Related

  • Argument of the Hume's Response to the Missing Shade of Blue

    1260 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hume supports his claim with two arguments. Firstly, he states that when we reflect on our thoughts, they always become simple ideas that we copied from a first-hand experience of something, thus the idea has been copie...

    Read More

  • Gender: Annotated Bibliography

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gender Matters is a collection of various essays on feminist linguistic texts analysis, by Sara Mills. Mills develops methods of analyzing literary and non-literary texts, in addition to conversational analysis based on a feminist approach. The author draws on data from her collection of essays gathered over the last two decades on feminism during the 1990s. The essays focus on gender issues, the representation of gender in reading, writing, and in public speaking. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of feminists’ analysis of sexism in literature and the relation between gender and politeness. The article is informative for my research paper, as my topic is going to cover language analysis of the text and who women reading and writing differs according to the discourse analysis within linguistic, psychology, case studies audiences and surveys. The book would be helpful, particularly the last three essays that discusses gender, public speaking, the question of politeness and impoliteness in public speaking. Mills’ analysis is not complete without including the idea of global notions of both women and men, to see whether women and men write and read in the same way globally. Therefore, an update would enrich the book’s discussion section. Although, Mills addresses the class and race theme in language and public speaking, I will only look into the role of language that plays a part in doing or reducing gender in literary, non-literary texts and in conversation.

    Read More

  • Inconsistencies in Hume's Empirical Thought

    2250 Words  | 5 Pages

    Steinberg, Eric [ed].  David Hume:  An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.  Second Edition.  Hackett Publishing Company, Indianapolis; 1977

    Read More

  • The trait perspective and the ten personality disorders

    1788 Words  | 4 Pages

    After Allport, came along two psychologists, Raymond Cattell and Hans Eysenck, who each formulated their own theories regarding traits. Their theories have been the subjects of considerable research in the world of psychology. Cattell seemed to focus on far too many traits, while Eysenck seemed to focus on too few. As a result, psychologists have combined the two theories to make one satisfactory theory (Cherry), called “The Big Five Factors” (Myers). They are: conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion. These five factors merge to create the human personality (Cherry). Where people fall into these factors s...

    Read More

  • David Hume's Empiricism

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    The next major theory on how one obtains knowledge comes from David Hume’s Empiricism. Empiricism itself is the idea that all knowledge obtained is done so through senses or experiences throughout life. This theory itself clearly contrasts with rationalism as rationalists believe at no point that they should gain knowledge through senses/experiences. Furthermore, as an empiricist, he does not value anything that is not attained through experience. One of Hume’s beliefs is the idea that everyone is born with a mental “blank slate”. Because all knowledge we gain is thought to be gained through experience (which a newborn would have none at that point) the “slate” starts as blank and will filled in as the person learns through experiences. This

    Read More

  • Reason: David Hume, Kant And Reason

    1433 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hume left a very controversial but necessary philosophy behind. His skeptical and empirical take on philosophy was something which was critically needed in a rationally dominated era of philosophy. His philosophy makes many excellent points while some are too radical. Kant, who was greatly influenced by Hume’s work is one of the most resourceful and innovative philosophers. He uses Hume’s work as a foundation to build a balanced philosophy taking the key components of both rational and Humean philosophies while tying in loose ends through his own theories such as a synthetic a priori. Kant’s philosophy clears up, for many, Hume’s loose ends as well as overcoming some of Hume’s more radical ideas. Hume’s influences on Kant allow Kant to create a modern viewpoint and definition on how metaphysics, a priori knowledge and human understanding is perceived.

    Read More

  • Hume's Ideas on Cause and Effect

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cause and effect is a tool used to link happenings together and create some sort of explanation. Hume lists the “three principles of connexion among ideas” to show the different ways ideas can be associated with one another (14). The principles are resemblance, contiguity, and cause and effect. The focus of much of An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding falls upon the third listed principle. In Section I, Hume emphasizes the need to uncover the truths about the human mind, even though the process may be strenuous and fatiguing. While the principle of cause and effect is something utilized so often, Hume claims that what we conclude through this process cannot be attributed to reason or understanding and instead must be attributed to custom of habit.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Life For Lefties

    1341 Words  | 3 Pages

    ONE DAY. If you can manage to do only half of everything left-handed for that day, you MIGHT BEGIN to understand the seemingly small ‘inconveniences’ suffered by the left-handed on a daily basis” (Dossey 12). Many people may glance at this challenge and find it pointless, highlighting exactly the point Weems makes: that the majority of people don’t realize the struggles of living in a world where people simply assume right-handedness. The stamp of left-handedness appears to also bring the stamp of unworthiness in regards to ease of living, since left-handed people have no trouble finding enemies in the most commonplace of activities. Cooking, for instance, requires lefties to run the risk of injuring themselves meals after meal. Appliance such as can openers, peelers, corkscrews, and soup ladles all force lefties to manipulate their hands in a way where failure prevails more often than success. If only manufacturers took the time to construct items suitable for lefties, or at least appliances equally suitable for both hand preferences, left-handed people would not have to spend just as much time in the kitchen worrying as they do cooking. However, in a world in which profit trumps quality, lefties continue to receive the short end of the stick, overlooked and under appreciated for the skills they could bring

    Read More

  • Cause and Effect in David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    In An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, David Hume states, “there is not, in any single, particular instance of cause and effect, any thing which can suggest the idea of power or necessary connexion” (Hume, 1993: 41). Hume establishes in section II that all ideas originate from impressions that employ the senses (11). Therefore, in order for there to be an idea of power or “necessary connexion,” there must be impressions of this connection present in single instances of cause and effect; if there are no such impressions, then there cannot be an idea of “necessary connexion” (52). To illustrate his statement, Hume examines four situations: bodies interacting in the world, mind causing actions of the body, mind causing ideas of ideas, and God as the source of power. I will highlight Hume’s reasons and outline his arguments to establish that there is no “connexion” between cause and effect on the basis of single instances.

    Read More

  • Personality And The Five Factor Model

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    Personality is massive part of an individual’s identity. Our personalities dictate our patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. An individual’s personality exposes them to predispositions and habits that influence their actions and lives. Early on, personality assessments consisted of physical features ranging from head shape and facial characteristics to body type. In today’s world, personality assessments are mainly based around traits. Traits are simply descriptions of one’s habitual patterns of behavior, thought and emotion. The most popular personality assessment is the Five-Factor Model, also known as The Big Five. This model allows us to describe people based on the five main traits/dimensions. These traits are extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. Each of these five traits measures a different aspect of one’s personality. Extraversion is based on one’s level of engagement with the world,

    Read More

  • Amanda and the Big Five

    758 Words  | 2 Pages

    The next scale, agreeableness, is also different than how people use the word in everyday conversation. We tend to think of it as non-argumentative, but for the Big Five personality factors, it connotes compassion, trust, helpfulness, and cooperativeness, versus ruthlessness, suspiciousness, defiance, and stubbornness. Amanda is known by her friends for being somewhat stubborn, but not all the time...

    Read More

  • Personality Test

    950 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first person I asked was a cousin whom I’ve been close too since infantancy. After I explained to him what each category meant he scored me with the following: open mindedness at 70, conscientiousness at 15, extraversion at 90, agreeableness at 25, and negative emotionality at 20. The one area that was an outlier is agreeableness. Ironically, this is the cousin who broke my spiderman toy years ago as mentioned before and he remembers how I held a grudge for such a long time because of it. When it comes to the similarities the reasons he gave matched up with mine which I assumed would happen. Extraversion was ranked the highest by him because he’s the main person I hangout with so there was some bias in that field. My other assessment came from a teammate who I didn’t meet until August 2017. As expected his assessment had some differences than the one from before. When asked to score my personality he gave the following results: open mindedness at 40, conscientiousness at 25, extraversion at 60, agreeableness at 50, and negative emotionality at 10. Throughout all three evaluations the one consistent rating was found in negative emotionality. This isn’t surprising, I’ve been told that I’m a calm person by most people I encounter. What did surprise me was how lowly extraversion was

    Read More

  • The Big Five Theory: The Five Characteristics Of Personality

    1772 Words  | 4 Pages

    The five traits that make up the Big Five Theory are Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. Extraversion is linked to the habit of experiencing positive emotions. The category of extraversion includes assertiveness, talkativeness and sociability. Neuroticism is linked to the habit of experiencing negative emotions. Extraversion includes feelings of anxiety, self-consciousness, and irritability. Having low self-esteem would give you a high score in Extraversion in a personality test. Agreeableness is one’s care towards another, their concern for their needs, wishes, and rights. If a person is high in Agreeableness they would be polite and compassionate, if they are low in Agreeableness they would be unsympathetic and possibly aggressive. If a person is Agreeable, they cherish a good understanding of others emotions and what people seek out to do in their lives. Conscientiousness is the ability to conform to rules and self-efficiency. Conscientious people are self-disciplined, keep things in order, and don’t get distracted and keep themselves on track with their goals. Openness includes traits such as imagination, intellectual engagement, and aesthetic interest (Deyoung, 2010). Open people are appreciative of adventure, emotion, curiosity, unusual ideas, art and

    Read More

  • David Hume on Sentiments and Reason

    1553 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Appendix I., Concerning Moral Sentiment, David Hume looks to find a place in morality for reason, and sentiment. Through, five principles he ultimately concludes that reason has no place within the concept of morality, but rather is something that can only assist sentiment in matters concerning morality. And while reason can be true or false, those truths or falsities apply to facts, not to morality. He then argues morals are the direct result of sentiment, or the inner feeling within a human being. These sentiments are what intrinsically drive and thus create morality within a being.

    Read More

  • Crime against property

    831 Words  | 2 Pages

    In theft there are those that are considered professional, while others are considered persistent. Although many thieves are persistent, it does not mean that they are professional. The offenders that commit crime with some degree of skill, earn reasonably well from their crimes, and despite stealing repeatedly, spend little time incarcerated are considered professional. For many criminals, they do not fit this profile and never reach the title of a professional. Persistent thieves stay in common law property crimes with an ordinary level of success. These thieves usually do not specialize in any degree. The vast majority alternate between the crimes like car theft, burglary, and robbery.

    Read More

More about David Hume's Theory of Knowledge

Open Document