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Class Responses and Instructor Comments

>From Avrohom:

why else then would we have experiences for if not to learn from them? we should use our past experiences to, in a limited way, predict our future experiences.

>rm says: But Hume's point is that we can not, even if we wish to, learn the nature of bodies.

>From avrohom:

isnt that the reason why its "in vain"? isnt that what Hume is trying to say? shouldnt we be able to use past experiences...?

>rm says: We think we can, but we can't. This question asks, Why not?

>From NR:

You do this in vain because you don't know if your experience will change their secret nature,effects and influences. Even without any change in there sensible qualities we must by any means be sensible to our ignorance and augment our knowledge.

>rm says: Whis is an interesting point, about our presence effecting a change in the nature of the world. IT reminds me of Heisenberg's Principle. But this is about our presense effecting the conditions in the world, and Hume's point is about changes in the guiding principles, the laws of nature.

Hume Reading Guide 18. "In vain do you pretend to have learned the nature of bodies from your past experience." (24) Why "in vain"?		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 Avrohom: why else then would we have experiences for if not to learn from them? we should use our past experiences to, in a limited way, predict our future experiences. >rm says: But Hume's point is that we can not, even if we wish to, learn the nature of bodies. >From avrohom: isnt that the reason why its "in vain"? isnt that what Hume is trying to say? shouldnt we be able to use past experiences...? >rm says: We think we can, but we can't. This question asks, Why not? >From NR: You do this in vain because you don't know if your experience will change their secret nature,effects and influences. Even without any change in there sensible qualities we must by any means be sensible to our ignorance and augment our knowledge. >rm says: Whis is an interesting point, about our presence effecting a change in the nature of the world. IT reminds me of Heisenberg's Principle. But this is about our presense effecting the conditions in the world, and Hume's point is about changes in the guiding principles, the laws of nature.
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