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Class Responses and Instructor Comments

>From Mildred Ferentino:
All reasonings concerning matter of fact seem to be founded on the relation of Cause and Effect. By means of that relation alone we can go beyond the evidence of our memory and senses. If you were to ask a man why he believes any matter of fact, which is absent; for instance that his friend is in the country, or in FRANCE; he would give you a reason; and this reason would be some other fact; as a letter received from him, or the knowledge of his former resolutions and promises.

>rm says: So says Hume. But what does it mean?

>From eddie:

All reasonings concerning matters of fact seem to be found on the relation of cause and effect. Hume, uses the example of asking a man, why he believes that the matter of facts tell him that his friend is in France? The man would answer question by possible saying, he recieved a letter or that he has knowledge of his former resolutions and promises. All this means that yes it is possible that he is in France but there's a possibility that the letter is false and so was his knowledge of his resolutions and promises.

>rm says: Yes, it's all about the purported causal connections between events, but, of course, we don't ever perceive the causes!

>From Avrohom:

we learn matters of fact through 'cause and effect' if i do this this will happen. Hume gives the example that a man finds a watch on a desert island (cause), he can conclude that men have previously been there (effect). we use "the connection between the present fact and that which is inferred from it" to draw a conclution.

>rm says: This is another good example from Hume.

Hume Reading Guide 11. What evidence do we use to explain knowledge of matters of fact? What relation helps us get this evidence?		Back to Hume Reading Guide Back to Philosophy 101 Home Next Question
Enter your response to the above question, or to a previous response, in the form below, or use this email link. I will post your response on the right, and comment if I think I can be helpful. When emailing, instead of using the form, please indicate the question number. When using the form below, if you neglect to enter your name or email, I won't know who you are.	Class Responses and Instructor Comments >From Mildred Ferentino: All reasonings concerning matter of fact seem to be founded on the relation of Cause and Effect. By means of that relation alone we can go beyond the evidence of our memory and senses. If you were to ask a man why he believes any matter of fact, which is absent; for instance that his friend is in the country, or in FRANCE; he would give you a reason; and this reason would be some other fact; as a letter received from him, or the knowledge of his former resolutions and promises. >rm says: So says Hume. But what does it mean? >From eddie: All reasonings concerning matters of fact seem to be found on the relation of cause and effect. Hume, uses the example of asking a man, why he believes that the matter of facts tell him that his friend is in France? The man would answer question by possible saying, he recieved a letter or that he has knowledge of his former resolutions and promises. All this means that yes it is possible that he is in France but there's a possibility that the letter is false and so was his knowledge of his resolutions and promises. >rm says: Yes, it's all about the purported causal connections between events, but, of course, we don't ever perceive the causes! >From Avrohom: we learn matters of fact through 'cause and effect' if i do this this will happen. Hume gives the example that a man finds a watch on a desert island (cause), he can conclude that men have previously been there (effect). we use "the connection between the present fact and that which is inferred from it" to draw a conclution. >rm says: This is another good example from Hume.
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