Cause and Effect in David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning...

Cause and Effect in David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding In An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, David Hume states, â€Å"there is not, in any single, particular instance of cause and effect, any thing which can suggest the idea of power or necessary connexion† (Hume, 1993: 41). Hume establishes in section II that all ideas originate from impressions that employ the senses (11). Therefore, in order for there to be an idea of power or â€Å"necessary connexion,† there must be impressions of this connection present in single instances of cause and effect; if there are no such impressions, then there cannot be an idea of â€Å"necessary connexion† (52). To illustrate his statement, Hume examines four situations:†¦show more content†¦From here follows three arguments. The first argument proposes that conscious of our will stipulates our understanding of the â€Å"connexion† between soul and body and how these two operate with each other to create our will. Since we have no concept of the union of soul and body, there is no impression of â€Å"connexion† present through these means. The second argument raises the issue of why there are involuntary organs, such as the heart, that the will is unable to control (43). If we were truly knowledgeable about the power with which the will functions we would understand the existence of these limitations of the physical body and the reason behind the difference between voluntary and involuntary organs. The third argument addresses the motion of the body. The mind wills an event and the motion is observed, â€Å"but we are unable to observe or conceive the tie [â€Å"connexion†], which binds together the motion and volition, or the energy by which the mind produces this effect† (49). Hume summarizes that these three arguments prove that â€Å"our idea of power is not copied from any sentiment or consciousness of power within ourselves† (44). Next, Hume explores the existence of â€Å"necessary connextion† when the will commands a new idea. Again there are three arguments. In the first argument the soul’s production of an idea is examined: it â€Å"is a real creation; a production of something out of nothing† (45).Show MoreRelatedHume – Concerning Human Understanding.David Hume’S Epistemological1123 Words   |  5 PagesHume – Concerning Human Understanding David Hume’s epistemological argument revolves around an empiricist school of thought, where sense impressions and experience are the foundations of human knowledge and understanding. Hume’s concept of human reason or enquiry is divided into two types, relation of ideas, which are propositions that are intuitively certain, and matters of fact, which depend on existents for their evidence (Hume 1993: 15). 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