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Hume's Impressions

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In An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding section 7, David Hume theorizes the origin of the idea of power, force, energy, and necessary conexion.
Hume begins by addressing his belief that there must first be an impression in order for there to be an idea. Impressions are carved from ones experiences through internal senses (memory) and external senses (external sensations), thus an individual cannot think of something that they have not experienced, therefore, impressions are the root of all ideas (Section 7, Part I, 4). Additionally, ideas can be divided into two categories, simple and complex ideas. Simple ideas are established through interpretations, complex ideas are established through several interpretations.
Hume proceeds by questioning human’s capability of rationalizing casual situations (cause and effect), Hume uses an external example via a billiard ball: when the first billiard ball hits the second billiard ball there is a movement and change in direction, the human mind can process that A will affect B, however, this is the minds furthest extent of knowledge, the mind will not be able to determine the force being transferred. This theory is fueled by Hume’s belief that humans can never truly …show more content…

Instead of saying that one ball made the other ball move by force, one could say that the Deity himself made both the balls move in the direction he chooses (sec 7, part I, 21). Hume claims that since humans do not know the connection between mind and body, that god is the direct cause of the connection (sec 7, part I, 21), some philosophers go as far as to say ideas and thoughts are seeded from the Deity, this power is inconceivable to humans, and therefore, one could question the idea of God since he is so mighty and therefore, incomprehensible. Additionally the idea of god would have to come from previous experience (sec 7, Part I,

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