Argument Quote by David Hume
“... if you insist that the inference is made by a chain of reasoning, I desire you to produce that reasoning. The connection between the two is not intuitive. There is required a medium, which may enable the mind to draw such an inference, if indeed it be drawn by reasoning and argument. What that medium is, I must confess, passes my comprehension; and it is incumbent on those to produce it, who assert that it really exists, and is the origin of all our conclusions concerning matter of fact.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
The quote argues that reasoning alone cannot bridge the gap between ideas; a mediating principle is needed to justify conclusions about reality.
In simple terms: Reasoning needs a bridge to connect ideas.
Key Takeaway
Identify and examine the hidden assumptions linking premises to conclusions.
Themes
epistemology
causation
philosophy of mind
logic
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scientific reasoning
- legal arguments
- everyday decision making
- debate
- theoretical physics
Key Concepts
Induction
causal inference
conceptual mediation
Questions to Reflect On
- What unseen assumptions underlie your conclusions?
- How can we test the existence of such a mediating principle?
A Different Perspective
The required medium may be unknowable, making some conclusions speculative.
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