Hume on the Doctrine of Infinite Divisibility: A Matter of Clarity and Absurdity
tarafından
Underkuffler, Wilson H., author.
Başlık
:
Hume on the Doctrine of Infinite Divisibility: A Matter of Clarity and Absurdity
Yazar
:
Underkuffler, Wilson H., author.
ISBN
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9780355989274
Yazar Ek Girişi
:
Underkuffler, Wilson H., author.
Fiziksel Tanımlama
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1 electronic resource (149 pages)
Genel Not
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Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 79-10(E), Section: A.
Advisors: Douglas Jesseph Committee members: Roger Ariew; Donald Baxter; Don Garrett; Alex Levine.
Özet
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I provide an interpretation of Hume's argument in Treatise 1.2 Of the Ideas of Space and Time that finite extensions are only finitely divisible (hereafter Hume's Finite Divisibility Argument). My most general claim is that Hume intends his Finite Divisibility Argument to be a demonstration in the Early Modern sense as involving the comparison and linking of ideas based upon their intrinsic contents. It is a demonstration of relations among ideas, meant to reveal the meaningfulness or absurdity of a given supposition, and to distinguish possible states of affairs from impossible ones. It is not an argument ending in an inference to an actual matter of fact. Taking the demonstrative nature of his Finite Divisibility Argument fully into account radically alters the way we understand it.
Supported by Hume's own account of demonstration, and reinforced by relevant Early Modern texts, I follow to its logical consequences, the simple premise that the Finite Divisibility Argument is intended to be a demonstration. Clear, abstract ideas in Early Modern demonstrations represent possible objects. By contrast, suppositions that are demonstrated to be contradictory have no clear ideas annexed to them and therefore cannot represent possible objects---their 'objects,' instead, are "impossible and contradictory." Employing his Conceivability Principle, Hume argues that there is a clear idea of a finite extension containing a finite number of parts and therefore, finitely divisible extensions are possible. In contrast, the supposition of an infinitely divisible finite extension is "absurd" and "contradictory" and stands for no clear idea. Consequently, Hume deems this supposition "impossible and contradictory," that is, without meaning and therefore, descriptive of no possible object. This interpretation allays concerns found in the recent literature and helps us better understand what drives Hume's otherwise perplexing argument in the often neglected or belittled.
Notlar
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School code: 0206
Konu Başlığı
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Philosophy.
Tüzel Kişi Ek Girişi
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University of South Florida. Philosophy.
Elektronik Erişim
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Yer Numarası | Demirbaş Numarası | Shelf Location | Shelf Location | Holding Information |
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XX(679859.1) | 679859-1001 | Proquest E-Tez Koleksiyonu | Proquest E-Tez Koleksiyonu | |