...Introduction: Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and David Hume (1711-1776) are two of the most influential and remarkable philosophers who have ever lived. Their perspectives on various subjects have certainly left a dent on the topics of literature, history, and philosophy. They were not afraid of turning away from common knowledge, and reinventing certain understandings about the world. Each of these philosophers were known for their new, innovative, and challenging ideas. The topic of causality (the relation between an event and a second event, where the first event is understood to be responsible for the second) was one specifically discussed by both men with great intensity, and their respective opinions shaped the minds of hundreds upon hundreds...
Words: 1882 - Pages: 8
...Scottish skeptic David Hume and German critic Immanuel Kant were both philosophers that attempted to address similar concepts of reason and human nature, albeit in very different ways. Both men, alive and practicing during the 1700s, had a lasting impact on the philosophical community. The two men not only differed personally, but philosophically, addressing issues at very different standpoints. Immanuel Kant, born in Prussia, was raised by a conservative family and quickly earned a PhD from his local university in Konigsberg. As a private, unmarried teacher, he mainly studied the sciences and is credited with devising the first working Big Bang Theory. Unlike other thinkers of his time, Kant was not skeptical or negative about humankind. Rather, he believed that all moral reasoning was based on rational thought. A rational man would make moral choices; an irrational man would not. This provides every man with an equal opportunity to use reason as moral guidance. Kant was also much more concerned with scientific reasoning and explanations. David Hume was far different from Kant in almost every way. Unlike Kant, Hume did not achieve a degree; he abandoned a course in law to pursue his philosophical calling. He was an overall skeptic, hesitant to approach huge, overarching ideals and more focused on the effect of memories and emotions. Unlike Kant, he did not believe in reason being rational; rather he believed that humans, though possessing free will, are at the mercy of...
Words: 426 - Pages: 2
...Kant VS Hume David Hume works from world to mind, Immanuel Kant from mind to world. Hume, how we experience the world is conditioned by the world. Kant, how we experience the world is conditioned by the mind. Most contemporary philosophers believe that Hume refuted the views of the rationalists before him (Descartes, Hobbes Spinoza, and Leibniz), who all held that there is an element of genuine a priori reasoning in causal inference. According to Hume, however, causal relations are not logically necessary, and hence they cannot be known a priori. To say that even if A caused B, it is not logically impossible to suppose that, given A, B might not have occurred. (De Pierris) So far as reason and logic are concerned, given a particular event, anything may happen next. This is precisely the reason why causal relations cannot be known a priori; in order to determine whether or not a causal relation holds between A and B we must rely on our experience of similar relations. "There are no objects," wrote Hume, "which by the mere survey, without consulting experience; we can determine to be the causes of any other; and no objects, which we can certainly determine in the same manner not to be the causes" (Lorkowski) Hume analyzed the idea of causality by emphasizing the three demands that can be verified through observation. First he argued the aspect of constant conjunction. In this aspect, the cause and effect must be spatially and constantly existent. Secondly, he asserted that...
Words: 971 - Pages: 4
...A Critical Assessment of Immanuel Kant's Epistemological Alternative to Hume's Fork All the objects of human reason or enquiry may naturally be divided into two kinds, to wit, Relations of Ideas and Matters of Fact. Of the first kind are the sciences of Geometry, Algebra, and Arithmetic; and in short, every affirmation which is either intuitively or demonstratively certain. That the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the square of the two sides, is a proposition which expresses a relation between these figures. That three times five is equal to the half of thirty, expresses a relation between these numbers. Propositions of this kind are discoverable by the mere operation of thought, without dependence on what is anywhere existent in the universe. Though there never were a circle or triangle in nature, the truths demonstrated by Euclid would forever retain their certainty and evidence (Hume, Section II). Matters of fact, which are the second objects of human reason, are not ascertained in the same manner; nor is our evidence of their truth, however great, of a like nature with the foregoing. The contrary of every matter of fact is still possible; because it can never imply a contradiction, and is conceived by the mind with the same facility and distinctness, as if ever so conformable to reality. That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction than the affirmation, that it will rise. We should in vain, therefore, attempt...
Words: 2394 - Pages: 10
...Idealism argues against other philosophical theories including materialism, realism, rationalism, and skepticism. Idealism’s most common argument is versus the theory of materialism (Lennon, 2008). The argument between idealism and materialism focuses on the two thoughts of mind over matter or matter over mind. There were many philosophers during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries who presented their views regarding Idealism. David Hume, George Berkeley. Immanuel Kant and Georg Hegel were very influential philosophers during that time frame. The differences between the ideas of perception and reality were discussed frequently by these philosophers (Walker, 2010). The work of previous philosophers influenced future philosophers. The ideas of each philosopher helped in the advancement of the knowledge to attain what we know today about various topics of interest in the different fields derived from the basis of philosophy. Math, science, medicine, physics are just some of the fields of interest that evolved through the history of philosophy. David Hume’s belief was that nothing is ever present to the mind but perception. He also believed that the connection between perceptions is because of cause and effect. His belief includes the thought that some relations are already present in the content of perception as well...
Words: 1175 - Pages: 5
...assumption. David Hume was a supporter of skepticism, and was said to make “skeptical attacks” and to “offer positive theories based on natural beliefs”. To me it seems that Hume uses abductive argumentation because of his use of incomplete observations, he questions statements and theories. An example of this would be Hume’s view change multiple times through the years. Hume acknowledges that he discards extreme skepticism (Pyrrhonian Skepticism) but agrees with the moderate form of skepticism (Academic Skepticism), declaring that “no durable good can ever result from it [extreme skepticism]. Nevertheless, Hume recommended Academic Skepticism which tones down Pyrrohonism by utilizing caution and modesty in our decisions along with limiting our assumptions to intellectual reasoning and matters of fact. With Hume’s thoughts of skepticism, he has inclined Immanuel Kant to give his opinions on the matter. Kant states “Hume awoke him from “dogmatic slumber”” and that he was “heavily influenced by the empiricist philosophy of Hume”. Dogmatism, a person who asserts his or her opinion in an overconfident manner, would associate with deductive argumentation from its ability of purpose to expand through simple concepts without critique. They use belief to support their claims. To summarize skepticism in philosophy is not doubting somethings truth but instead is the practice of critical thinking and reasoning. Skepticism holds many different viewpoints two main ones being Hume [skepticism]...
Words: 293 - Pages: 2
...experience. In comparing the views of David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Georg Hegel, and Arthur Schopenhauer, which view of experience seems closest to how you view the world? Briefly explain this philosopher's view as it compares to your view. Note: 150-300 words are a substantive post. My view of the world would have to be more like the view of Immanuel Kant. I am a very religious person, and Immanuel Kant believed that all possible knowledge of God was not possible for a human being. He believed the world depended on a supreme being, and that things of the world depended on one another. Immanuel Kant's philosophy was based on the belief of God’s existence. Kant believed the human mind could not obtain rational knowledge of any kind beyond the physical world (Moore, 2005). My philosophy has always been the belief in God. I believe he is the higher power and the creator of everything seen and unseen. My philosophy is related to Kant’s philosophy. We both believe that the mind cannot grasp God’s existence. I know if I try to think of where God came from, I can’t explain the feeling. The feeling is so amazing I cannot grasp an answer and I believe that is what Kant meant. I recently learned about laminin which is a glycoprotein found in basement membranes that are basically the glue that keep us together. The image of laminin is astounding, the molecules come together to form a cross. My belief is heightened even more with this new found proof which Kant, Descartes and Hegel share my belief...
Words: 612 - Pages: 3
...and principalities (* absolutist and authoritarian). 5. The Lutheran Church had remained the dominant force in the cultural life of Germany. a. Science and technology had not developed sufficiently to have any social or philosophical importance. b. The new science of Newton seemed incapable of explaining anything more than material and mechanical matters. It could not be the sole means for arriving at knowledge. 6. Most German Philosophers of the 18th Century regarded David Hume (radical empiricism) as reducing all rational truths and scientific laws to animal faith (instinct). Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) 1. Out of this provincial German culture and intellectual background came Kant who provided for the first time a philosophical answer to Hume's's skepticism. 2. The Critique of Pure Reason published by Kant in 1781. a. Kant saw the logical outcome of Hume's radical empiricism. b. Radical empiricism claims that the basis of all knowledge lies in experience -- this, to Kant, leads to the conclusion that there is no knowledge. c. There is...
Words: 318 - Pages: 2
...University of Phoenix Material Yvonne E Tanner Philosophy Matrix Field | Definition | Historical Developments | Schools Of Thought | Key Contributors | Principal Issues | Epistemology | The theory of knowledge concerned with nature and scope of knowledge | From Ancient Greece forward, Plato, Socrates and developmental thought | Externalism, Internalism, Empiricism, Rationalism, Constructivism, Infinitism, Foundationalism, Coherentism, Skepticism | Aristotle, Plato, Spinoza, Locke, George Berkeley, Immanuel Kant. (with all the questions I think we can attribute some Socrates also) | Focused on the analysis of the nature of knowledge; how do we know what we know, why? How is knowledge acquired? What makes justified beliefs justified? | Metaphysics | Metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and body, substance, and accident, events, and causation (Johnson, 2008). | Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity is considered by many to be based in metaphysics but was adopted into physics because of its significance (Howie, 1997). | Cosmology, Ontology, Natural Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Mind, Perception | Aristotle, Plato, George Berkeley, Anne Conway, Oliva Sabuco de Nantes, Benedictus de Spinoza, Émilie du Châtelet, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes | The study of existence; Natural Theology – study of Gods, nature of religion, what is the divine? Universal Science - what are the first principals and how...
Words: 803 - Pages: 4
...grammar Needs Improvement (≤ 1 point) Satisfactory (≤ 2 points) Good (≤ 3 points) Score Content (6 points) Correctness of details Inadequate (≤ 1 points) Good (≤ 2 point) Excellent (≤ 3 points) Completeness of idea Inadequate (≤ 1 points) Good (≤ 2 point) Excellent (≤ 3 points) Score TOTAL /12 Beauty objective or subjective The nature of beauty is one of the most controversial and complex themes in Western philosophy. Beauty has been among the ultimate values, with goodness, truth, and justice. “It is a major subject among different philosophers such as the ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and medieval, and was central to 18th and 19th-century thought, as represented in treatments by such thinkers as Hutcheson, Hume, Kant; Hegel, and Santayana.” Different philosophical issues concerned the objectivity and subjectivity of beauty. In other words, philosophers argued whether is beauty a property of some objects (like mass, shape, etc.) or is beauty a judgment of the mind observing the object (an emotion, feeling or evaluation). Subjective theory of beauty existed primary in the Antiquity and the middle Ages, while the modern period retained the objective theory for a long time. In this essay, we will get insights of both subjectivist and objectivist accounts. According to philosophers, “Objective is something that can be known, which exists as part of reality, independent of thought or an observer. While subjective exists in the mind; belonging to the...
Words: 1292 - Pages: 6
...Immanuel Kant was born April 22, 1724 and died February 12, 1804. He lived throughout his life in what we know today as Kaliningrad, Russia. He is a well-known and studied philosophical researcher, lecturer, and writer whose main interests include epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and logic. After learning of David Hume, Kant began to develop his own ideas of morals and values. Although Kant has many writings one of his greatest pieces is his, “Critique of Pure Reason” (1781). He is also well known for his moral cade, ‘The Categorical imperative’ and ‘Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, Grounding of the Metaphysics of Morals, and Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals.’ Knowledge Kant has many theories on knowledge in which are interesting, in my opinion. Kant states that, “In the order of time, therefore, we have no knowledge antecedent to experience, and with experience all of our knowledge begins, but although all of our knowledge gins with experience, it does not follow that it all arises out of experience.” I feel that knowledge and experience are connected but to have pure knowledge there are other sources other than experience. Kant calls these judgments or absolute truths,a priori.According to Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, “Necessity and universality are sure criteria of a priori knowledge,and areinseparable from one another”. According to Wikipedia.org, a priori is “knowledge or justification id independent of experience”. For example, saying all household...
Words: 872 - Pages: 4
...Nicolas, Fatima May D. 2014-45876 Spec. Thought WFY, Mr. Romulo Banares What Constitutes Reasoning as Philosophical? Philosophy consists of a very long history of arguments, counter- arguments, thesis, and theories; thus we can also see questions, and answers that lead to more questions and so on. Like most sciences, philosophy has its own procedures and its own approach to inquiries about the world. One of the central objectives of this discipline is to learn and make use of those procedures to understand the mysteries behind existence and reality. It is also a study that aims to find out the nature of truth and knowledge and to discover what is of basic value and the significance of life. As established by its founding fathers the basic business of philosophy is to know what truly exists and the relation among these existents. Reason is a method in which people acquire knowledge and understanding by means of thinking in an organized and clear way. It has played a big role in the progress of different branches of philosophy (e.g. epistemology, metaphysics, etc.) throughout the years. Some of philosophy’s longest running problems are based on reason but reason also paves way for the solution to these problems. In this paper, I will address different examples that exhibit the being philosophical of reason. REASON IN THE ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS Ontological arguments are arguments that assert the existence of a God by using...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
...Hume claims that judgments of causality are completely constructed by the mind and they are a result of "habit" or "custom." We have a habit of thinking causally. But Hume does not say this is a bad thing, since without this habit we would not be able to function in everyday life. He even calls causality the "cement of the universe." For Hume, our judgments of causality are determined by three factors: 1) constant conjunction: we continuously see one event that follows from another event in experience. For example, I see that one ball hits another ball, and that second ball moves, and this has happened many times; 2) contiguity: the two things must be close to each other in space and time; and 3) association between ideas: I have an idea of one ball moving, and the idea of another being hit and moving. So, causality does not belong in the objects seen, but only in the mind. Causality is not a real feature of the world, but only a way we interpret events in the world. In this way, Hume's account of causality points to his broader position that we cannot have any knowledge of the world---or even be in a position to know that we have knowledge. Hume observes that while we may perceive two events that seem to occur in conjunction, there is no way for us to know the nature of their connection. Based on this observation, Hume argues against the very concept of causation, or cause and effect. We often assume that one thing causes another, but it is just as possible that one thing...
Words: 2158 - Pages: 9
...The cosmological argument The word “cosmos” means universe. The cosmological argument argues the existence of a first cause, God, from a posteriori and priori premise. It argues that the universe is contingent and therefore requires a cause, as nothing is the cause of itself. This is known as redicto- ad- absurdum. The argument is backed up by the five ways put forward by the 12th century theologian and philosopher, St Thomas Aquinas. In the 12th century, St Thomas Aquinas put forward 5 ways to prove the existence of God in his book “Summa Theologica”. Aquinas’s five ways to prove the existence of God are based on the work of Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, whose work was later translated in Arabic, by Muslim philosophers Al- Kindi and Al- Ghazali, and then translated into Latin. I will be examining three of Aquinas’ ways, uncaused cause, unmoved mover and necessary being. As well as examining these three ways to prove the existence of God, I will be looking at their supporters and critics. Aquinas’ 1st way to prove the existence of God was the uncaused cause also known as the first cause. Aquinas considers the world in terms of “cause and effect” which means that without a cause there is no effect. Everything in the universe has a cause. Human beings have a cause (their parents) too. Aquinas argued that we could follow the chain of “cause and effect” all the way back, but there cannot be an infinite chain. There must be an uncaused cause, which causes everything...
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...Immanuel Kant, who was baptized Emanuel, was a philosopher born April 22, 1724 and died at age 79. He was born in Prussia, now called Russia, and had ten siblings. He never traveled far from home and was an excellent scholar. He went to college, was a teacher, and influenced many philosophers including Fichte and Hegel. He never married but was outgoing and personable. Even when his father died he was a private tutor to earn money for his family. He excelled in science and math. His major works included Critique of Pure Reason which tested the limitations of reason itself, Critique of Practical Reason which concentrated on ethics, and Critique of Judgment which investigates aesthetics. There are too many works to mention throughout his life that put into words his thinking, understanding, suggestions of life’s questions. As he was an influence to many, there were many that influenced him. Kant worked a decade to tweak his previous work, Inaugural Dissertation, where he never explained how individuals obtain data and also how we develop the data acquired. David Hume awakened him from his slump in 1781 he responded with Critique of Pure Reason. He produced many works in the years to follow. Kant claimed that just because something is not proven real doesn’t mean that it’s not real. In his essay “Answering the Question: What is Enlightenment?” he stated “if one cannot prove that a thing is, he may try to prove that it is not. And if he succeeds in doing neither...
Words: 475 - Pages: 2
