Cause and effect Quote by David Hume
“We need only reflect on what has been prov'd at large, that we are never sensible of any connexion betwixt causes and effects, and that 'tis only by our experience of their constant conjunction, we can arrive at any knowledge of this relation.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
Knowledge of cause and effect arises only from repeated observation, not from logical deduction alone.
In simple terms: Cause‑effect knowledge comes from experience.
Key Takeaway
Observe patterns to understand relationships.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
causality
experience
logic
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
skeptical
Type
philosophical
educational
scientific
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- everyday decision making
- historical analysis
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
empiricism
scientific method
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we verify causal claims?
- What role does intuition play in recognizing patterns?
A Different Perspective
Empirical observation may be limited by bias or incomplete data.
