Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Saundaranandakavya', 'The Theory of Relativity and A Priori Knowledge' and 'Treatise of Human Nature'

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2 ideas

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / c. Conditions of causation
For Hume a constant conjunction is both necessary and sufficient for causation [Hume, by Crane]
     Full Idea: Hume held that constant conjunction between As and Bs is both necessary and sufficient for a causal relation. If As and Bs are conjoined that is sufficient for a causal relation; if A and B are causally related, necessarily they are constantly conjoined.
     From: report of David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739]) by Tim Crane - Causation 1.2.2
     A reaction: A helpful connection between Hume and the modern debate about conditions for causation (e.g. Mackie). It sounds as if, to spot the necessary condition, you need to independently see that A and B are causally related, which regularity does not allow.
26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / d. Causal necessity
Hume seems to presuppose necessary connections between mental events [Kripke on Hume]
     Full Idea: A well-known objection to Hume's analysis of causation is that he presupposes necessary connections between mental events in the theory.
     From: comment on David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739]) by Saul A. Kripke - Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language n 87
     A reaction: Are these the associations that occur within the mind? I'm not clear about the objection, but record it for interest.