Hume Truths Essay, Research Paper

Hume separates his distinction of truths of into two categories. They are

Relation of Ideas (ROF) and Matter of Fact (MOF). Hume states Relation of Ideas

are always true based on how all its component parts relate. However, Matter of

Fact can and cannot be true depending on circumstance. If its components do not

relate it can not be truth. For example of ROF, all bachelors are unmarried.

This is truth based on that a bachelor is an unmarried man. An example of MOF is

that all bachelors are lonely. This can not be true because even though a

bachelor is unmarried it does not necessarily mean he is lonely. The component

parts of ROF relate when the components of MOF do not. Hume distinguishes

amongst the two categories by two determinings of truths. Analytic Propositions

and Synthetic determines truths of ROF and MOF. Analytic Propositions of ROF is

the idea that its truths depends on how each idea is analyzed and built up to

make it truth. ROF is necessary truth, which is called contrary impossible. It

has got to be true. As for MOF, Synthetic means the ability for MOF truths to be

demonstrative certain and intuitively certain. Demonstrative certain is when one

can not tell if it is certain by looking at it. Intuitively certain is when one

can look at it and know it is certain. MOF can be contingent, which is the

capability of being false. 2 Also known as contrary possible. Hume also states

that truths of ROF are found by a priori knowledge. Its truth is discovered by

operation of thought. Knowledge of experience is not needed. As long as one can

understand the ideas, they do not need any experience to tell if it is truth. On

the contrary, truths of MOF depends on experience; a posteriori knowledge. Based

on what exists it may or may not be true. Hume strongly believes in truths of

MOF that all ideas arise from experience. Experience of cause and effect

determines whether something is true of MOF. Even after experience of cause and

effect, a conclusion from that experience is not found by thinking it out nor by

any method of understanding. So, therefore that experience determines whether it

can be true or false. However, truths of ROF are inconceivably contrary. It is

never perceived as either/or nor ?as a result of?, but as a relation of

ideas that are always true. Truths of MOF are contrary conceivable. They can be

understood as true or false by experience. It is not a matter of thinking it out

and relating the idea why one infers one from the other (truth from falsity),

but by experience. To conclude, Hume distinguishes truths of Relation of Ideas

and Matter of Fact by Sub categorizing the two into Analytical Propositions and

Synthetic. He later distinguishes truth that depends on ROI and MOF by factors

of certain/not certain, a priori/posteriori knowledge, contrary

impossible/contrary possible, and inconceivably contrary/contrary conceivable.