Single Idea 9428

[catalogued under 10. Modality / A. Necessity / 10. Impossibility]

Full Idea

'Tis an established maxim in metaphysics, that whatever the mind clearly conceives includes the idea of possible existence, or in other words, that nothing we imagine is absolutely impossible.

Gist of Idea

Nothing we clearly imagine is absolutely impossible

Source

David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739], I.II.2)

Book Reference

Hume,David: 'A Treatise of Human Nature', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1978], p.32


A Reaction

It is important to note that this empiricist approach to what is impossible requires that we 'clearly' conceive the possibility - but how do we evaluate whether we are being clear or not?