Hume divides all 'perceptions' (i.e. experiences) into 'impressions' and 'ideas'. This theory device gives him a more finely grained account of the operations of the mind than either Locke or Descartes have. Impressions are original 'perceptions of the human mind' which are vivid, forceful, strong or lively. Ideas are the 'faint images' of the original impressions.

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Hume divides all 'perceptions' (i.e. experiences) into 'impressions' and 'ideas'. This theory device gives him a more finely grained account of the operations of the mind than either Locke or Descartes have. Impressions are original 'perceptions of the human mind' which are vivid, forceful, strong or lively. Ideas are the 'faint images' of the original impressions.

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

If Hume is right in arguing that reason alone is not sufficient to generate moral judgements that distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, then what are the missing ingredients? This question brings us to Hume's positive account on the foundations of human morality.

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

If Hume is right in arguing that reason alone is not sufficient to generate moral judgements that distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, then what are the missing ingredients? This question brings us to Hume's positive account on the foundations of human morality.

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

According to Hume, reason alone can never determine the distinction between moral good and evil. We can never find out whether an act is morally right or wrong just by using our reasoning.

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

According to Hume, reason alone can never determine the distinction between moral good and evil. We can never find out whether an act is morally right or wrong just by using our reasoning.

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Hume has said some very provocative things about the roles of, and the relations between, reasons and passions. "We speak not strictly and philosophically when we talk of the combat of passion and of reason. Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of passions, and can never pretend to be any other office than to serve and obey them." What is Hume's arguments for the claims he made?

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Hume has said some very provocative things about the roles of, and the relations between, reasons and passions. "We speak not strictly and philosophically when we talk of the combat of passion and of reason. Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of passions, and can never pretend to be any other office than to serve and obey them." What is Hume's arguments for the claims he made?

Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.