more from David Hume

Single Idea 6350

[catalogued under 14. Science / C. Induction / 4. Reason in Induction]

Full Idea

Contrary to what Hume supposed, it must be possible for the premises of an argument to support a conclusion without logically entailing it.

Gist of Idea

Premises can support an argument without entailing it

Source

comment on David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748]) by J Pollock / J Cruz - Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd) §1.2

Book Reference

Pollock,J.L./Cruz,J: 'Contemporary Theories of Knowledge (2nd)' [Rowman and Littlefield 1999], p.9


A Reaction

This seems to me an extremely important point, made with nice clarity. It is why people who are good at logic are not necessarily good at philosophy. The latter is about thinking rationally, not following the laws of deduction.