- 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) 16th century
C) 19th century
D) 18th century
- 2. Hume divides all perceptions of the mind into two categories: ideas and what?
A) Sensations
B) Impressions
C) Concepts
D) Thoughts
- 3. Hume argues that all reasoning concerning matters of fact is based on what relationship?
A) Contiguity
B) Similarity
C) Identity
D) Cause and effect
- 4. What does Hume call the principle that connects cause and effect in our minds?
A) Mathematical proof
B) Logical necessity
C) Custom or habit
D) Divine will
- 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) Sentiment or feeling
B) Rational principles
C) Divine command
D) Social contract
- 7. According to Hume, what is the self?
A) A transcendental ego
B) An immortal soul
C) A physical body
D) A bundle of perceptions
- 8. Hume argues that reason alone cannot motivate what?
A) Perception
B) Action
C) Belief
D) Memory
- 9. What does Hume call the principle that allows the mind to associate ideas?
A) Laws of thought
B) Categories of understanding
C) Rules of reason
D) Principles of association
- 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 fact
D) Matters of faith
- 11. What does Hume argue about our belief in the external world?
A) It's divinely revealed
B) It's purely imaginary
C) It's demonstrably certain
D) It's based on instinct, not reason
- 12. According to Hume, what is the origin of our idea of necessary connection?
A) Sensory perception
B) Custom or habit from repeated conjunctions
C) Logical deduction
D) Divine illumination
- 13. Hume argues that moral distinctions are derived from what?
A) Divine commands
B) Moral sentiment
C) Social utility
D) Rational principles
- 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 produces pleasure
B) Pleasure destroys virtue
C) Virtue is unrelated to pleasure
D) Virtue requires suffering
- 16. What does Hume call the tendency to project our internal impressions onto external objects?
A) The mind's propensity to spread itself
B) Cognitive error
C) Perceptual mistake
D) Transcendental illusion
- 17. Hume argues that our belief in the uniformity of nature is based on what?
A) Custom and habit
B) Logical proof
C) Scientific demonstration
D) Divine guarantee
- 18. According to Hume, what is the source of our idea of personal identity?
A) Memory and imagination
B) Physical body
C) Social recognition
D) Substantial soul
- 19. Hume's 'is-ought' problem concerns the relationship between what?
A) Cause and effect
B) Factual and moral statements
C) Reason and passion
D) Impressions and ideas
- 20. What does Hume say about the existence of external objects?
A) They exist only in God's mind
B) They are illusions
C) We cannot prove their independent existence
D) They are certain through reason
- 21. Hume's skeptical conclusion about induction is that:
A) It is perfectly reliable
B) It is mathematically certain
C) It cannot be rationally justified
D) It proves God's existence
- 22. Hume's position on religion is generally:
A) Mystical
B) Indifferent
C) Skeptical
D) Devout
- 23. According to Hume, passions are:
A) Matters of fact
B) Copies of impressions
C) Relations of ideas
D) Original existences
- 24. What does Hume call the principle that connects cause and effect?
A) Physical force
B) Constant conjunction
C) Logical necessity
D) Divine will
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