Philosophy Roundtable: David Hume

Please join us this Sunday to discuss David Hume. Hume (1711-1776) was a highly influential Scottish philosopher known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism.

We will meet at the Captain Melville at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp.

Please note the new $5 mandatory donation entry fee (cash or transfer on day) to help with MeetUp subscription costs, venue costs, etc.

There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged.

Some questions you may consider are:
Hume's Moral Thinking:

• Hume argues that Reason alone is never sufficient motivation to cause or prevent human action but can only be used to support what we believe is desirable or not. Do you agree? if so why/why not?

• Given morality affects our actions, if we agree with the above, does this imply that the rules of morality are not conclusions of our reason as Hume argues?

• Do you are with Hume's view that "Morality, therefore, is more properly felt than judged of"?

Hume's Analysis of Induction/causation:

Hume argues that it is by custom, rather than by direct observation or Reason, that we reach the view that something that has always occurred in the past will happen in the future, or that event A "causes" Event B. Do you agree with these views?

Famous quotes:

• "Reason is, and ought only to be the slave to the passions"
• "It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger." -
  A Treatise is Human Nature , Book II, Part II
  SECT. III OF THE INFLUENCING MOTIVES OF THE WILL

This event is also posted to the Socrates Cafe group.

Hope to see you there!