- 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) 16th century
B) 18th century
C) 17th century
D) 19th century
- 2. Hume divides all perceptions of the mind into two categories: ideas and what?
A) Impressions
B) Concepts
C) Thoughts
D) Sensations
- 3. Hume argues that all reasoning concerning matters of fact is based on what relationship?
A) Cause and effect
B) Similarity
C) Identity
D) Contiguity
- 4. What does Hume call the principle that connects cause and effect in our minds?
A) Divine will
B) Mathematical proof
C) Custom or habit
D) Logical necessity
- 5. According to Hume, we can never observe necessary connections between what?
A) Numbers
B) Ideas
C) Events
D) Colors
- 6. What does Hume argue is the foundation of morals?
A) Rational principles
B) Social contract
C) Sentiment or feeling
D) Divine command
- 7. According to Hume, what is the self?
A) A physical body
B) A transcendental ego
C) An immortal soul
D) A bundle of perceptions
- 8. Hume argues that reason alone cannot motivate what?
A) Perception
B) Memory
C) Action
D) Belief
- 9. What does Hume call the principle that allows the mind to associate ideas?
A) Categories of understanding
B) Principles of association
C) Laws of thought
D) Rules of reason
- 10. Hume divides all objects of human reason into two kinds: relations of ideas and what?
A) Matters of sensation
B) Matters of opinion
C) Matters of faith
D) Matters of fact
- 11. What does Hume argue about our belief in the external world?
A) It's purely imaginary
B) It's based on instinct, not reason
C) It's demonstrably certain
D) It's divinely revealed
- 12. According to Hume, what is the origin of our idea of necessary connection?
A) Divine illumination
B) Custom or habit from repeated conjunctions
C) Logical deduction
D) Sensory perception
- 13. Hume argues that moral distinctions are derived from what?
A) Rational principles
B) Divine commands
C) Social utility
D) Moral sentiment
- 14. According to Hume, what is the role of reason in moral decisions?
A) Independent judge
B) Divine messenger
C) Master of the passions
D) Slave of the passions
- 15. What does Hume argue about the connection between virtue and pleasure?
A) Virtue produces pleasure
B) Virtue is unrelated to pleasure
C) Virtue requires suffering
D) Pleasure destroys virtue
- 16. What does Hume call the tendency to project our internal impressions onto external objects?
A) Perceptual mistake
B) The mind's propensity to spread itself
C) Transcendental illusion
D) Cognitive error
- 17. Hume argues that our belief in the uniformity of nature is based on what?
A) Divine guarantee
B) Custom and habit
C) Logical proof
D) Scientific demonstration
- 18. According to Hume, what is the source of our idea of personal identity?
A) Physical body
B) Substantial soul
C) Memory and imagination
D) Social recognition
- 19. Hume's 'is-ought' problem concerns the relationship between what?
A) Reason and passion
B) Cause and effect
C) Impressions and ideas
D) Factual and moral statements
- 20. What does Hume say about the existence of external objects?
A) They are illusions
B) We cannot prove their independent existence
C) They exist only in God's mind
D) They are certain through reason
- 21. Hume's skeptical conclusion about induction is that:
A) It cannot be rationally justified
B) It is perfectly reliable
C) It is mathematically certain
D) It proves God's existence
- 22. Hume's position on religion is generally:
A) Devout
B) Indifferent
C) Mystical
D) Skeptical
- 23. According to Hume, passions are:
A) Original existences
B) Relations of ideas
C) Matters of fact
D) Copies of impressions
- 24. What does Hume call the principle that connects cause and effect?
A) Constant conjunction
B) Physical force
C) Logical necessity
D) Divine will
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