Scepticism and Belief in Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book Scepticism and Belief in Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by S. Tweyman, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: S. Tweyman ISBN: 9789400943414
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: S. Tweyman
ISBN: 9789400943414
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

In the pages that follow, an attempt is made to examine those sections of the Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion which deal with the Argument from Design - the argument which purports to prove that certain observed similarities between the design of the world and machines of human contrivance countenance reasoning by analogy to the conclusion that the cause of the design of the world resembles human intelligence. The sections which deal with the Argument from Design, and with which I am therefore concerned, are Parts I through VIII and Part XII. I argue that a clue to Hume's discussion of the Argument from Design is to be found in Section XII of the first Enquiry, in which Hume presents his most thorough analysis of philosophic dogmatism and scepticism. The Dialogues, as will be shown, follows precisely Hume's recommendations in this Section for bringing the dogmatist to the position which Hume himself endorses - 'mitigated scepticism. ' It is, then, the position of the mitigated sceptic which is elaborated in Part XII of the Dialogues. The belief in an intelligent designer of the world is shown to be akin to certain other beliefs discussed by Hume - causality, physical objects, a continuing self - which are usually referred to in the literature as 'natural beliefs. ' The mitigated sceptic's defense of the unknowability of the divine nature is seen to be in accordance with Hume's view that whatever is believed naturally cannot be known or understood.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the pages that follow, an attempt is made to examine those sections of the Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion which deal with the Argument from Design - the argument which purports to prove that certain observed similarities between the design of the world and machines of human contrivance countenance reasoning by analogy to the conclusion that the cause of the design of the world resembles human intelligence. The sections which deal with the Argument from Design, and with which I am therefore concerned, are Parts I through VIII and Part XII. I argue that a clue to Hume's discussion of the Argument from Design is to be found in Section XII of the first Enquiry, in which Hume presents his most thorough analysis of philosophic dogmatism and scepticism. The Dialogues, as will be shown, follows precisely Hume's recommendations in this Section for bringing the dogmatist to the position which Hume himself endorses - 'mitigated scepticism. ' It is, then, the position of the mitigated sceptic which is elaborated in Part XII of the Dialogues. The belief in an intelligent designer of the world is shown to be akin to certain other beliefs discussed by Hume - causality, physical objects, a continuing self - which are usually referred to in the literature as 'natural beliefs. ' The mitigated sceptic's defense of the unknowability of the divine nature is seen to be in accordance with Hume's view that whatever is believed naturally cannot be known or understood.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Silicone Surface Science by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Commutative Algebra: Constructive Methods by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Agricultural Use of Groundwater by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book The Eurogang Paradox by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book The Practice of Theoretical Curiosity by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Organic Acidurias by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book The Sciences’ Media Connection –Public Communication and its Repercussions by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Maritain’s Ontology of the Work of Art by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Substantive Perspectivism: An Essay on Philosophical Concern with Truth by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Social Structure and Voting in the United States by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Estimating Characteristics of the Foreign-Born by Legal Status by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Handbook of FPGA Design Security by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Honor and Revenge: A Theory of Punishment by S. Tweyman
Cover of the book Ice Destruction by S. Tweyman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy