more from David Hume

Single Idea 3902

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 5. Empiricism Critique]

Full Idea

The greatest weakness in Hume's philosophy is his use of the term 'impression' to refer to both sensations and perceptions.

Clarification

Some impressions involve knowledge, others not

Gist of Idea

Hume mistakenly lumps sensations and perceptions together as 'impressions'

Source

comment on David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748]) by Roger Scruton - Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey 24

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'Modern Philosophy: introduction and survey' [Sinclair-Stevenson 1994], p.342