Hume's Causality

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In our daily live the concept of naturally observed occurrences continuing into the future has posed a metaphysical problem of how to explain it. To do so one can construct the argument using solubility of salt as an example:
1. Salt has dissolved in water in the past
2. Naturally observed regularities of the past will continue into the future.
∴ Salt will dissolve in water in the future
This argument is to demonstrate causality or the idea that something causes the other, and this relationship will continue into the future. David Hume in his An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding objects to the idea of causality by demonstrating that is second premise, principle of uniformity of nature, cannot exist. This leads Hume to concludes have no grounds for assigning causality relations.
In his objection to principle of uniformity of nature Hume begins by creating distinction between truths. Truths are, “objects of human reason” (Hume 542L). According to Hume there are only two types of ways in which humans think; they are relations of ideas and matters of fact. If a concept does not fall under one of these truths its existence cannot be proven.
Relations of ideas “are discoverable by the mere operation of thought” (Hume 542L). Relations of ideas are a priori knowledge, knowledge independent of experience, which is derived from reason. For example, the concept “every brother is a sibling” does not require a person to have previously experienced that every brother is a sibling. A person can understand this concept is true in virtue of its definition. By understanding what a brother is, it allows for someone to reason that a brother must have a sibling by mere definition. Through using the definition a person can come to...

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.... By appealing to truth of reason and arguing that creating largest possible balance of pleasure over pain is the best explanation for what is morally correct, utilitarianism can exist in truth of reason. Therefore it can belong as part of human reason whereas under Hume it cannot.
It can be seen that by merely adding a third truth to Hume’s two truths through truth of reason the best objection is created. Not only can the principle of uniformity of nature be saved but many other concepts like utilitarianism can be saved as well. While Hume may object that the best explanation does not create 100 percent certainty. Appealing to a mixture of experience and reason allows for uniformity that we see in our daily lives to be extended into the future. Therefore it can be seen that truth of reason holds as a successful challenge two Hume’s objection to causality.

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