1. 1 The Empiricists: Hume Induction, Causation, Skepticism Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

2. 2Outline 1. Introduction 2. Inductive Inference and causation 3. Humean Skepticism 4. Conclusion

3. 3Introduction The 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?

4. 4Outline Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1. Introduction 2. Inductive Inference and causation 3. Humean Skepticism 4. Conclusion

5. 5 The 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

6. 6Causation Negative Phase Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana  No experience of connection (even less necessary) – words without meaning? Copy Principle Meaning = simple impression from which the idea is a copy Cause, 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

7. 7Causation Positive 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

8. 8Outline Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1. Introduction 2. Inductive Inference and causation 3. Humean Skepticism 4. Conclusion

9. 9 Previous 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 skepticism Both primary and secondary qualities exist in the mind only -- convincing

10. 10 Against Excessive Skepticism Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana  So, what should we do? Excessive skepticism concerning reason Self-contradictory Excessive skepticism concerning the senses Neither convincing nor beneficial – a joke

11. 11 Hume’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 only Any other matter induces verbal disputes Empirical sciences: probability only No system can be proved to be true / false Burning worthless books?

12. 12Outline Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1. Introduction 2. Inductive Inference and causation 3. Humean Skepticism 4. Conclusion

13. 13 Hume : 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