Single Idea 21285

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

Full Idea

Every event, before experience, is equally difficult and incomprehensible; and every event, after experience, is equally easy and intelligible.

Gist of Idea

Events are baffling before experience, and obvious after experience

Source

David Hume (Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion [1751], Part 8)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.109


A Reaction

If you don't believe this, spend some time watching documentaries about life in the deep oceans. Things beyond imagination swim around in front of you. But we can extrapolate, once the possibilities are revealed by experience.