more from David Hume

Single Idea 2194

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 4. Pro-Empiricism]

Full Idea

Adam, though his rational faculties be supposed, at the very first, entirely perfect, could not have inferred from the fluidity and transparency of water, that it would suffocate him, or from the light and warmth of fire that it would consume him.

Gist of Idea

How could Adam predict he would drown in water or burn in fire?

Source

David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748], IV.I.23)

Book Reference

Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.27