Comment And Analysis On The Causal Relationship Theory Of Hume

Causality is an extremely important and key issue which runs conversation discussed and argued endlessly in the history of western philosophy. On this aspect, Hume is an important milestone. His understanding,analysis and solution on causal theory had important influence on the development of later periods . So, by studying his explanation on the issue of causation, analyzing his principle and philosophical essence on this issue, we can strengthen the understanding on western philosophy and find meaning.From the view point of the history of philosophy, Hume is such a great philosopher who finds a new question to explore. Hume is the key link which plays an important role in the history of western philosophy. His philosophy still has wide-ranging implications and research value till now. His question on the causality is unavoidable but so far has not received a rational answer, which establishes the inclination of epistemological humanism and"awakens"Kant's critical philosophy.First, in this article we try to investigate Hume's view point on causality .In Hume's periods empiricism and rationalism are two different ways to do philosophical research ,Contrast with rational psychology, empirical psychology becomes the obvious characteristic in British traditional empiricism, which explains the basic problems of epistemology, such as origin and boundaries of mankind's knowledge and belief etc. so, in this text we will explore historical development of empirical psychology from Locke to Hume , and finds out the inherit of empirical tradition and the theoretic resources. Hume tries to express his philosophical ideal about the science of human nature, and to see his science of human nature as the only one firm foundation for the other sciences with a few but simple principles. Discussing the theory of idea,Hume establishes the first principle of the science of human nature,namely all ideas come from simple sense-impression,and forms mental atomism in terms of sensory impression。Then,he divides two kinds of knowledge,"relation of ideas"and"matter of fact",and concentrates on the theory of causality. On one hand,he explains from the negative aspect that ration and experience can not provide the rational proof on causal reasoning. On the other hand,he describes from the positive aspect the idea of causal necessity by three mental principles:association of ideas,belief and custom. Hence,the nature of causal necessity is determined by particular constant conjunction of appearances and human mental activity. Hume claims to study the cognitive process from an aspect of epistemology,namely from human mental activity and mental consciousness. He wants to tell us that man should limit his cognitive ability and the boundaries of knowledge.Secondly, in this article we try to analysis some quite important concept, one is imagination, and the other one is induction. In Hume's philosophy, imagination is a very important concept. In the issue of imagination, we can find Hume had double meaning, by divide the two meaning, Hume discussion the concept of imagination and memory with comparison. Hume believes that the concept of memory and imagination can not be treated equally. In other words, memory controlled by the impression of the form of constraints ,without any change ;But imagination was not the case, imagination was the impression that priorities and was not subject to the original form of constraints, different from memories ,it can be freely changed. Expounded on the causal relationship, Hume considered the issue of the validity of the scientific theory Induction. The question is, as we have already observed how the inference of the facts observed induce to the facts not be observed yet .We also can be stated as a specific example of how to the general conclusions drawn. Hume spoke from the standpoint of skepticism that through the answer of causation. His causal relationship shows that there was no logical necessity which could induce inference of the evidence, and the only evidence was mental habits. 5Hume summed up causal relationship and the problems of induction together .Hume asked if inductive inference was reasonable. On the causal relationship, he thought there was no causal inference from the evitable logic of reasoning and proof, also could not be summarized from the sudden reasoning, or to explore the natural inference from the premise of how the transition to conclusions .Inductive Reasoning was a reasonable question. He thought that causal reasoning and induction was by the combination of the concepts, but he could not consider inductive inference as reasonable, this was the philosophical problem Hume's legacy to future generations. As a result,his empirical psychology gets a conclusion of naturalism and skepticism.Kant thought Hume's empiricism on the causal link between the experience viewpoints against the rationalism played an important role; however, he went to the extreme way to make his final conclusion on the road. Hume denied the causal relationship between the universal necessity, the issue of causation, feeling antagonistic experience and rational thinking. Recognized only the former. From this point of view it will have a devastating impact on science. It appears in Kant, Hume did not really solve the issue of causation, it is Hume's biased conclusions and the devastating impact that Kant is not acceptable. So in theory, Kant founded a different causal theory way with a priori viewpoint. But, it can not solve the problem.