Friday, September 19, 2008

Hume's method

Hume's method

Hume could’ve use the simple method of Observation to come up with his theories. It is reasonable to believe that Hume could’ve just simply observed people in the daily lives. However, at the same time, Hume had to be careful not to interfere with people’s natural reactions to dozens of different situations. Hume also had to be neutral of every issue that people deal with in their daily lives, such as stereotyping, politics, grief, happiness, and any other emotions and thinking that people usually have. In other words, he had to detract himself from society to observe people without bias. And Hume must’ve taken days to observe people, looking for specific details and reactions. It’s obviously, that if Hume had asked questions and had conversations with people, that he would’ve received bias answers and false statements about people actions and emotions in different situations. This method of observing is great way to learn people in different situations and this is what Hume might have used to come up with his three psychological tendencies.

2 comments:

Erin said...

That's an interesting perspective I hadn't thought of...How do you think his bias toward a situation would effect his theory?

Andy Bryant said...

I like that you understood the question as asking what method Hume came up with to understand people, not the method he used to convey this message to others. I think this addition will help others expand their way of thinking.