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Single Idea 11949

[from 'Treatise of Human Nature' by David Hume, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers ]

Full Idea

I am, indeed, ready to allow, that there may be several qualities both in material and immaterial objects, with which we are utterly unacquainted; and if we please to call these powers and efficiency, 'twill be be of little consequence to the world.

Gist of Idea

There may well be powers in things, with which we are quite unacquainted

Source

David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739], p.168), quoted by George Molnar - Powers 7.2.1

Book Reference

Molnar,George: 'Powers: a study in metaphysics', ed/tr. Mumford,Stephen [OUP 2003], p.114


A Reaction

A delightful air of casual indifference. What the classic empiricists needed was a notion of 'best explanation', which would allow them to leap beyond immediate experience. They made plenty of other leaps beyond experience, though Hume hated them.