Hume describes one species as motivators for action such as values, virtues and beauty. These, he says, are easy and obvious philosophies that directly obtain to and affect the real world. The other species he describes as not pertaining to action or the real world; this uses introspection to study human nature to attempt to ascertain the underlying principles. This species Hume describes as both accurate and abstruse, but he, says it cannot enter into action.

Although Hume contrasts the two species starkly and implies on numerous occasions a dislike for the reasoned introspective approach, he argues eloquently for a balance between the two. The moral philosophy of action requires a full understanding of the world gained by experience according to Hume. He compares this with the artist requiring knowledge of anatomy to paint a beautiful Venus. The two species balance each other and one "cannot exalt one without deprecating the other".

This balance is required, Hume argues, because both philosophies in themselves are not sufficient. The analysis of experience tells us about the world, but provides us with no motivation for action. The passions cause us to act as we do but cannot help us to discover and improve our world.

This drive to unify the two seemingly different species is supplied by the need to understand the mind. Hume is an empiricist who believes that we must discover knowledge by examining the real world. However, in order to comprehend what we can know we must first understand that which observes. Thus, a clear comprehension of the mind and human understanding is required before solid epistemic framework can be built.

In this, Hume is strongly influenced by the enlightenment figures of his time that search for a metaphysical explanation of philosophy. Hume strongly believed that to find the underlying principles of the universe one had to observe the universe and not rely on innate ideas of introspection.

Thus, not only does Hume reject the Cartesian model, but strongly embraces science. In rejecting the rationalist model he seeks to undermine the abstruse philosophy, which he describes as a 'shelter to superstition'. Thus, he rejects philosophy based upon dogma and ideas accepted by history. The role of philosophy is to understand the mind and thus the observer to establish what can be known. The role of science is then to go forward and discover.

Sources
Enquiries concerning human understanding - David Hume
www.dictionary.com
Notes on Hume - Oli McAdoo
Article on The Elightenment by Roy Porter




Got a suggestion?, email Dave

Can't find what you want? - use the search!

WWW www.arrod.co.uk