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1748

Hume — Distinguishing expectation from proof

Even if repetition explains expectation, does it prove that the future must resemble the past?

David HumeAn Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

Evidence-backed account

Past experience directly concerns the objects and periods observed; extending it to similar new objects and future periods requires a further inference.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

    David Hume · 1748 · Hume Texts Online critical text with E/SBN paragraph numbering

    Locator: E 4.16–4.17

    Open source

Because a change in the course of nature or a different effect from a similar object is not contradictory, Hume argues that future uniformity cannot be proved by demonstrative reasoning.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

    David Hume · 1748 · Hume Texts Online critical text with E/SBN paragraph numbering

    Locator: E 4.18

    Open source

He argues that using an experiential or probable argument to prove the similarity of past and future is circular because it already assumes that similarity.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

    David Hume · 1748 · Hume Texts Online critical text with E/SBN paragraph numbering

    Locator: E 4.19–4.21

    Open source

Hume explains the principle that leads us to expect the same result after repetition as `custom` or `habit`.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

    David Hume · 1748 · Hume Texts Online critical text with E/SBN paragraph numbering

    Locator: E 5.4–5.6

    Open source

The analysis does not conclude that ordinary inference and action disappear; rather, custom makes experience a guide to life.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

    David Hume · 1748 · Hume Texts Online critical text with E/SBN paragraph numbering

    Locator: E 5.2 and E 5.6–5.8

    Open source

The first edition was published in London by A. Millar in 1748 under the title `Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding`.

Open evidence

This is an evidence-linked editorial paraphrase, not a direct quotation.

  • Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding — first-edition catalog record

    Folger Shakespeare Library · 1748 · London: A. Millar, 1748; ESTC T4022

    Locator: London: A. Millar, 1748; ESTC T4022

    Open source
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