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Notes knowledge. Hume analyzed various aspects of life, but was probably best recognized for his
theory of causality. Hume set up criteria for determining cause and effect. These criteria
explained his skepticism about causality and why he came to the conclusion that humans
were not capable of discovering truth.
• Hume separated human perceptions into two distinct categories: impressions and ideas.
• Ideas are copies or reflections of impressions and are less lively than the original impression.
• David Hume’s views on aesthetic theory and the philosophy of art are to be found in his work
on moral theory and in several essays. Although there is a tendency to emphasize the two
essays devoted to art, “Of the Standard of Taste” and “Of Tragedy,” his views on art and
aesthetic judgment are intimately connected to his moral philosophy and theories of human
thought and emotion. His theory of taste and beauty is not entirely original, but his arguments
generally display the keen analysis typical of his best work. Hume’s archaic terminology is
occasionally an obstacle to appreciating his analysis, inviting conflicting readings of his position.
• Hume was more interested in art criticism (judging art) than in the philosophy of art as an
effort to explain the essence of art. He was particularly intrigued by the question whether
our judgments on art are subjective and relativist or objective and universalizable. This
explains why he talks about taste (the receptive side) rather than about the artwork itself (the
creative side). For Hume, taste denotes the capacity to respond with approbation or
disapprobation to external stimuli. If the stimulus is an artistic one the ensuing taste should
be understood as the “refined ability to perceive quality in any artwork”. This ability
corresponds, roughly speaking, to what we would call “aesthetic experience” in general
(Hume didn’t use the word Aesthetics yet). If likes and dislikes are expressed in value
judgments we regard them as judgments of taste. Whether there is a standard of taste is an
open issue that allows arguing for both sides (the debate parallels somewhat the debate
about the relativity of moral norms).

20.8 Key-Words
1. Empirical : Based on concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather
than theory or pure logic.
2. Interpretative : To Explain.

20.9 Review Questions

1. Discuss Of Essay Writing by Hume.
2. Give an analysis of Hume’s life.
3. Write a brief note on Beauty and Taste in Hume’s moral theory.
4. Examine critically Hume’s essay “Of Essay Writing”
Answers: Self-Assessment
1. (i)(a) (ii)(a) (iii)(c)

20.10 Further Readings

1. David Hume, selected Essays Oxford World Classics, Oxford University Press.
2. Davide Hume Essays (Of Essay Writing).

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