more on this theme | more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
We can have no idea of connexion or power at all, and these words are absolutely without any meaning.
Gist of Idea
We cannot form an idea of a 'power', and the word is without meaning
Source
David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748], 7.2.58)
Book Ref
Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.74
A Reaction
I would say that this ignores a phenomenon of which Hume is well aware, which is the power of our own minds to generate thoughts and actions. Hume seems to be employing a verificationist theory of meaning