the empiricists: hume induction, causation, skepticism
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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
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