Bell (2009)

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Bell, Martin. (2009) Hume on Causation. In Norton and Taylor (Eds.) (2009), 147-176.

Title Hume on Causation
Resource Type collection article
Author(s) Martin Bell
Year 2009
Collection Norton and Taylor (Eds.) (2009)
Pages 147-176

Abstract

Hume’s theory of causation is one of the most famous and influential parts of his philosophy. When compared with the accounts provided by earlier philosophers whom Hume studied, such as Rene Descartes (1596–1650), John Locke (1632–1704), and Nicolas Malebranche(1638–1715), his theory is revolutionary. It is also controversial, and has been interpreted in a number of different ways. This is not surprising, because Hume’s ideas about causation are not only challenging in themselves, but also lie at the heart of much of the rest of his thought. As a result, interpretations of Hume on causation influence, and are influenced by, interpretations of his general philosophical aims, methods, and purposes.