PHL100Y1 Lecture : Hume - Lecture 1.docx
Document Summary
Hume was important figure in scottish enlightenment": progress made by the free exercise of reason alone. Being able to identify precise problems exactly so as to n with the approach them with an open mind and to try to figure out steps that could be taken toward their solution. Forget prejudices" bad air, etc: was dissatisfied with previous philosophy and impressed with the genuine advances made by science in his day. Theory of ideas begins with three claims: (t1) all perceptions are either (a) impressions, or (b) ideas, (t2) sensing and sentiment produce only impressions, whereas thinking produces only ideas. Impression forceful and lively; intrudes on you. Emotions much the same: (t3) all ideas are copies" of impressions. Impressions are more forceful and lively" than ideas. Thinking is a matter of combination and division, therefore single idea can be produced by many ideas and vice versa. Simple ideas vs. complex ideas explained in terms of the composition of ideas.