- 1. A Treatise of Human Nature, written by the Scottish philosopher David Hume and published in the 1730s, is a foundational work in modern philosophy that delves deeply into human psychology, the nature of knowledge, and the basis of morals. In this comprehensive treatise, Hume systematically explores the complexities of human experience, arguing that human understanding arises primarily from sensory experience and that our ideas are ultimately rooted in impressions—immediate experiences that inform our thoughts. Hume's examination extends to questions of causation, emphasizing that our beliefs in causality are mere habits of thought rather than rational certainties. He challenges the rationalist traditions of his time, asserting that human behavior is largely governed by emotions and passions rather than by reason alone. The treatise also discusses the problem of induction and the limits of human reason, presenting a skeptical view on concepts like personal identity and the existence of the self over time. Overall, A Treatise of Human Nature is not only a critical work in the philosophy of empiricism but also a profound inquiry into the essence of humanity, ultimately shaping the discourse on human nature, ethics, and epistemology.
In which century did David Hume write 'A Treatise of Human Nature'?
A) 17th century
B) 19th century
C) 18th century
D) 16th century
- 2. Hume divides all perceptions of the mind into two categories: ideas and what?
A) Concepts
B) Thoughts
C) Sensations
D) Impressions
- 3. Hume argues that all reasoning concerning matters of fact is based on what relationship?
A) Contiguity
B) Similarity
C) Cause and effect
D) Identity
- 4. What does Hume call the principle that connects cause and effect in our minds?
A) Custom or habit
B) Logical necessity
C) Divine will
D) Mathematical proof
- 5. According to Hume, we can never observe necessary connections between what?
A) Colors
B) Numbers
C) Ideas
D) Events
- 6. What does Hume argue is the foundation of morals?
A) Social contract
B) Divine command
C) Sentiment or feeling
D) Rational principles
- 7. According to Hume, what is the self?
A) A bundle of perceptions
B) An immortal soul
C) A physical body
D) A transcendental ego
- 8. Hume argues that reason alone cannot motivate what?
A) Perception
B) Memory
C) Belief
D) Action
- 9. What does Hume call the principle that allows the mind to associate ideas?
A) Categories of understanding
B) Rules of reason
C) Principles of association
D) Laws of thought
- 10. Hume divides all objects of human reason into two kinds: relations of ideas and what?
A) Matters of fact
B) Matters of sensation
C) Matters of faith
D) Matters of opinion
- 11. What does Hume argue about our belief in the external world?
A) It's based on instinct, not reason
B) It's demonstrably certain
C) It's divinely revealed
D) It's purely imaginary
- 12. According to Hume, what is the origin of our idea of necessary connection?
A) Custom or habit from repeated conjunctions
B) Logical deduction
C) Divine illumination
D) Sensory perception
- 13. Hume argues that moral distinctions are derived from what?
A) Rational principles
B) Social utility
C) Moral sentiment
D) Divine commands
- 14. According to Hume, what is the role of reason in moral decisions?
A) Master of the passions
B) Independent judge
C) Divine messenger
D) Slave of the passions
- 15. What does Hume argue about the connection between virtue and pleasure?
A) Virtue is unrelated to pleasure
B) Virtue requires suffering
C) Pleasure destroys virtue
D) Virtue produces pleasure
- 16. What does Hume call the tendency to project our internal impressions onto external objects?
A) Cognitive error
B) Perceptual mistake
C) Transcendental illusion
D) The mind's propensity to spread itself
- 17. Hume argues that our belief in the uniformity of nature is based on what?
A) Scientific demonstration
B) Logical proof
C) Custom and habit
D) Divine guarantee
- 18. According to Hume, what is the source of our idea of personal identity?
A) Physical body
B) Substantial soul
C) Social recognition
D) Memory and imagination
- 19. Hume's 'is-ought' problem concerns the relationship between what?
A) Impressions and ideas
B) Cause and effect
C) Reason and passion
D) Factual and moral statements
- 20. What does Hume say about the existence of external objects?
A) They are certain through reason
B) We cannot prove their independent existence
C) They are illusions
D) They exist only in God's mind
- 21. Hume's skeptical conclusion about induction is that:
A) It cannot be rationally justified
B) It proves God's existence
C) It is mathematically certain
D) It is perfectly reliable
- 22. Hume's position on religion is generally:
A) Devout
B) Skeptical
C) Indifferent
D) Mystical
- 23. According to Hume, passions are:
A) Relations of ideas
B) Original existences
C) Copies of impressions
D) Matters of fact
- 24. What does Hume call the principle that connects cause and effect?
A) Constant conjunction
B) Divine will
C) Physical force
D) Logical necessity
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