--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: reasonings on this subject can only be…" description: "\"“reasonings on this subject can only be drawn from effects to causes; and that every argument, deducted from causes to effects, must of necessity be a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/david-hume-538_logic_reasonings-on-this-subject-can-only-be-d_958575.jpg" --- # reasonings on this subject can only be drawn from effects… ![“reasonings on this subject can only be drawn from effects to causes; and that every argument, deducted from causes to effects, must of necessity be a gross sophism; since it is impossible for you to know anything of the cause, but what you have antecedently, not inferred, but discovered to the…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/david-hume-538_logic_reasonings-on-this-subject-can-only-be-d_958575.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/david-hume-538_logic_reasonings-on-this-subject-can-only-be-d_958575.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6e/david-hume-538_logic_reasonings-on-this-subject-can-only-be-d_958575.jpg) > ““reasonings on this subject can only be drawn from effects to causes; and that every argument, deducted from causes to effects, must of necessity be a gross sophism; since it is impossible for you to know anything of the cause, but what you have antecedently, not inferred, but discovered to the full, in the effect.”” [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It argues that reasoning from effects back to causes is unreliable; true knowledge must start with observed effects and move forward. **In simple terms:** Reasoning from cause to effect is uncertain; start with what we see. Key Takeaway Base conclusions on observed outcomes. Themes epistemology logic causation philosophy Mood thoughtful critical inquisitive Type philosophical academic When to use this quote - scientific research - policy analysis - legal reasoning - everyday decision making Key Concepts inductive reasoning skepticism empiricism Questions to Reflect On - What evidence do we need before inferring causes? - How can we balance inductive and deductive reasoning? A Different Perspective May underestimate the role of theoretical models in guiding inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) ## Related quotes > [Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/our-reasonings-grasp-at-straws-for-premises-and-float-on-gossamers/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [“It is not reasonings that are wanted now for there are books stuffed full of stoical reasonings. What is wanted, then? The man who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/it-is-not-reasonings-that-are-wanted-now-for-there-are-books-stuffed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Love is not a product of reasonings and statistics. 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