David Hume Argument On The Principle Of Casualty

The principle of casualty states that our connection with the universe bases on recognition of casualty. Casualty is the association of an event whereby one factor under specific conditions results to another element. This principle tends to connect a cause to the resultant effect. Further,  philosophers  Descartes and hobble used knowledge and belief in justifying the connection between an object and the result. However, Hum feels that the theories formulated by the two philosophers are not comprehensive and does not fully conclude the matter. Humes thinks that the findings by the two philosophers on the principle of casualty are uncertain,  confusing and wrong. Descartes argued that the freedom of the human brain from the body.  Hobbles, on the other hand, say that the human mind is just like any part of the human body. Thus hobbles admit an interrelationship between the brain and the material body. further, hobbles say that the human understanding portrays object not related to the mind. (Melchert 442). However, Descartes disregards the notion that feelings and thinking represent the realities as a hypothesis. Humes feels that both Descartes and Hobbes are wrong.  Humes argues that it is through observation that we can regard the brain as being unknown to the external body and as assuming its powers and roles. Further, experiments are necessary to establish the effects of the mind on the material body (Melchert 442)

Therefore, following the highlighted disputes, Humes seeks to clarify between legitimate and assumed ideas. Initially, Humes divides perceptions into impressions and ideas. As stated in this In this module lecture, “knowledge commences with simple impressions which continuously develop into complex ideas”.  Hume argues that opinions are specific and are easily demonstratable.  Further, ideas are discoverable before and independent of experience (Melrchert 442). Therefore he argues that the logic associated with ideas do not depend on any real factor. Impressions are dependent on events occurring in the world. Demonstrations cannot illustrate perceptions, but contradicting feelings is possible. Hume argues that the contrast between opinion and ideas depends on the severity and vitality by which they strike the human mind.  The perceptions that dominate the human brain with much intensity and brutality are the impressions. For example, sensations and emotions. Ideas, on the other hand, are the unclear pictures of feelings in thinking and making judgements. Hume illustrates the difference between impressions and views by explaining a scenario whereby one slaps a table. In this case, the impression results from the sound produced from the action. However, the idea is the memory of the sound. Humes distinguishes the difference between simple and complex perceptions. In the case of slapping a table, Simple perceptions are the impressions experienced during the actual slapping event while the complex impressions result from hearing the sound (Melchert 443).

Hume notes that every simple idea succeeds a simple impression. He adds that all meaningful words associate with ideas, although it is always not the case (Melchert 444).

On the dependence between impressions and idea, Humes provides the doctrine binding them together. He says that the principle of association of habit is the critical contributory towards the development of rich quality human life. The association between thoughts in the brain and their display in our imaginations is interdependent (Melchert 444)

Hume says that attraction rules human ideas. further, this kind of attraction occurs without human knowledge and control and likens this process to the way the brain functions (Melchert 445)

Works Cited

Melchert, Norman and Morrow David. Eighth edition. Historical introduction to philosophy. The great conversation. 2018. accessed 4/6/2020.