Philosophy 272: Handout H1

Hume's Arguments Concerning the Idea of Power

Vs. We get the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body.

1. If we got the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body, then we would know how body and soul are united.
2. We do not know how body and soul are united.
3. We do not get the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body.

1. If we got the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body, then we would know why we can control our hands, but not our liver.
2. We do not know why we can control our hands, but not our liver.
3. We do not get the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body.

1. If we got the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body, then we would know the chain of events that connect willing one's hand to move and one's hand actually moving.
2. We do not know the chain of events that connect willing one's hand to move and one's hand actually moving.
3. We do not get the idea of power from observing our will command and produce the motion of our own body.

Vs. We get the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation.

1. If we got the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation, then we would know how the mind calls forth ideas.
2. We do not know how the mind calls forth ideas.
3. We do not get the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation.

1. If we got the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation, then we would know why we can control some of our ideas better than our passions or our preferences.
2. We do not know why we can control some of our ideas better than our passions or our preferences.
3. We do not get the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation.

1. If we got the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation, then we would know why our power of self-command varies.
2. We do not know why our power of self-command varies.
3. We do not get the idea of power from observing our will bring forth ideas for our contemplation.