David Hume: Perceptions, Impressions, and Ideas

David Hume (an 18th-century Scottish philosopher) studied law at Trinity College. He later moved to Paris and met Rousseau.

Hume's text discusses human perceptions. He makes several key points:

1. There are two types of perceptions: impressions and ideas. Impressions are immediate and leave a strong mark.
2. The difference between impressions and ideas lies in their intensity. Impressions are stronger than ideas (ideas are reflections of impressions). This is because impressions are immediate and instant, while ideas are formed later.
3. The difference between an impression and an idea is the same as the difference between feeling and thinking.
4. Another distinction can be made based on complexity: simple and complex perceptions. Simple perceptions are unique, consisting of a single element (e.g., the color red as a simple impression, or the idea of red as a simple idea). Complex perceptions are formed by several elements.
5. Impressions and ideas are similar; they have the same origin and are caused by the object itself, by reality itself. An idea is simply an impression we have after some time. An idea is an impression without having the object in mind (this is the core of empiricism). Empiricism states that every idea originates from an impression, because the idea is a copy of a corresponding impression. Our mind has two types of perceptions: impressions and ideas. Some are more intense than others, but ultimately, they come from the same source. An impression is a feeling. Every idea is fundamentally an impression because it has the same origin.
6. Every idea has a corresponding impression. But do ideas like death, God, soul, or the world have corresponding impressions? This presents a problem: we have ideas that do not seem to derive directly from impressions. However, Hume argues that these ideas are composed of simple ideas for which we *do* have impressions (e.g., the idea of a golden mountain is formed by the ideas of "mountain" and "gold," for which we have impressions). We have impressions of ideas because the object exists.

From all this, two conclusions can be drawn:

A) Critique of the Principle of Causality:

The causal relationship is often considered necessary (i.e., it cannot be otherwise, as opposed to random chance). Causality is the foundation of science. Hume argues that causality exists, but as an empirical fact, not a necessary one. Our belief in causality stems from custom or habit (a psychological phenomenon).

B) Solipsism:

Impressions relate to our inner states. They do not become ideas for others; they are incommunicable. Therefore, we are isolated with regard to our internal impressions.