The History of Why

Thinker

2 readings

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David Hume

Thinker · 2 readings

Hume examines the habits behind causal expectation, personal identity and judgments of action. His arguments distinguish explaining a belief from proving what it claims.

All readings

2 readings · Title A–Z

  • Guided course · Module 13 · Lesson 83

    Can responsibility survive causal explanation?

    Hume, van Inwagen and Fischer disagree about the control that responsibility requires. The lesson separates three ideas their arguments rely on: causal determination, alternative possibilities and responsiveness to reasons.

  • Guided course · Module 9 · Lesson 51

    Habit, causation and the self

    Hume traces our expectations beyond observed cases to custom, and questions whether we ever perceive an unchanging self. His account of the self leaves a difficulty he kept open.