Prince Angelo T. Cabrera
Perceptions in our Daily Life
Theory of knowledge is widely discussed by philosophers from different times and
nationalities. One of the intriguing and popular philosophers was David Hume which is part of the
Scottish enlightenment. An as empiricist, he introduced concepts that are distinct from his
predecessors. His epistemology is divided into three concepts which are origin of ideas, association
of ideas, and two kinds of reason. It is important to take note that he is regarded as a skeptic. Since
he denies that we can rely on inductive reasoning. For him we cannot know anything from
inductive reasoning. This leads him to his concepts of habit or custom and constant conjunction.
We cannot be certain that the cause will produce the same effect that we experienced before.
In his origin of ideas, he established two important concepts in his Epistemology. These
two concepts are impressions and ideas which are an analysis of our perceptions. Locke would
refer to these two concepts as ideas, but Hume made a distinction. Impressions are those
experiences that may be either sensation or immediate and original content of our psychological
states. These are the original experiences and are more lively perceptions. Ideas, according to
Hume, is only a copy of impressions. It is faint and less forceful/lively perceptions. The difference
between the two is found in the degree of force or liveliness. An example would be our experience
of warmth and a memory of that experience of warmth. The former is the impression while the
latter is the idea. In addition, impressions are sensations, emotions, and other mental phenomena
while ideas are memories or beliefs that we relate with our impressions. Therefore, categorizing
perceptions are based on whether the experience happens now or is only a memory of a previous
experience.
After expounding and distinguishing impressions and ideas, Hume formulated the
association of ideas. Newton, as a physicist, sought out the laws governing physical particles. Just
like Newton, Hume also did the same but on the laws that govern mental particles. These laws are
what he calls as “principles”. There are three principles, namely, the principle of resemblance,
principle of contiguity, and the principle of cause and effect. Firstly, the principle of resemblance
is when we associate ideas that are similar. Secondly, the principle of contiguity is the association
of ideas that appear together in time and space. Finally, the principle of cause-and-effect associates
ideas or events that regularly succeed with another.
Finally, Hume tackled the two kinds of reason which are relations of ideas (a priori) and
matters of fact (a posteriori). In the first kind of reason, we determine their truth purely through
reflection. It is knowing without experience of the real world. While the second kind of reason is
learning and understanding of common truths through experience and through causation.
The Epistemology of Hume is relatable as we can also give concrete examples. An example
of impression is my experience of writing this final paper in the computer laboratory. I feel the
cold temperature due to the air condition. Later on, these experiences will lonely be an idea where
I remember the day and the sensations when I was writing this paper. The impressions and ideas
of writing this final paper can also be associated to other ideas through the three principles. First
is the principle of resemblance entails the ideas or experience I had in writing other papers before
this final paper. Second is the principle of contiguity, when I had the idea of writing final papers,
I think of the computer laboratory or classroom. The thought of where I sat while writing this paper
leads to the environment surrounding me. These may be the chairs, windows, and curtains. The
idea of computer laboratory leads to room as a whole. Third is the principle of cause and effect. I
wrote final papers and other written works before. Because of that experience, I have an idea of
what would be the effect in writing these papers. At the end, I will feel joy as I submit the finished
paper. I already have an idea of the effect because of a similar cause.
There are things in life that we are not certain because we have not experienced those
things. But there are times when we must try things first before becoming sure of it. This is where
the relations of ideas and matters of fact comes in. If we were to know things certainly, that will
make our life boring and predictable. Take not that Hume is a skeptic in a sense that he denies
inductive reasoning. Because for him the causes and effects that we experienced before are entirely
different to other causes and effects. It may be a similar cause, but the effect will always be distinct.
I agree with his ideas on causality, but I do not deny inductive reasoning.
Hume’s epistemology made realize the reason why our life is exciting. Even with doing
the same things every day, there will always be something new or unique from our experience
before. This is an assurance that we have something to look forward to in life. We can expect the
unexpected. There is the motto, “Try and try until you succeed”. Because according to Hume, the
effect of a similar cause will not be exactly the same.
Personally, I am afraid of trying because of my regrets and failures. But I could not realize
my mistake. I lost the will to try because I assumed that nothing would change, and that the same
thing will happen again. What I considered a priori was actually an a posteriori. There are things
in life that we must try and experience first. We could only assume that these may be the truth but
what we need is the courage to try and learn for ourselves whether our hypothesis is true or not. I
would like to encourage myself by not letting the regrets and failures hinder me. Because failures
are opportunity to learn and grow. Everyday is a learning experience.