Hume’s Empiricism 1) In your groups you will prepare a 2 minute presentation on the following: Martha and Lily: How Hume’s Empiricism influenced his ideas on God (p.111 of Cardinal). Elisa and Ellie : How Hume’s Empiricism influenced his ideas on The Self and Morality (p of Cardinal). Pippa and Alex: How Hume’s Empiricism influenced his ideas on Causation ( )

Issues with Concept Empiricism: Descartes’ Trademark Argument Focus: To consider the criticism of Concept Empiricism that there are at least some innate concepts through looking at Descartes’ trademark argument.

Innatism (The Doctrine of Innate Ideas) It is important to note that while some empiricists would claim that all of our ideas come from experience, no philosopher would claim that all of our ideas are innate. Task: Copy down Locke’s definition of innate ideas below and annotate the quote to analyse what innate ideas are. Locke’s definition of innate ideas: ‘[S]ome primary notions... Characters as it were stamped upon the Mind of Man, which the Soul receives in its very first Being; and brings into the world with it.’ (Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, 1, 2 par.1 Innate ideas could be implanted by God, part of the way our brain has evolved, memories from a different life, thoughts that are contained in all living beings, and so on.

Descartes’ Trademark Argument The cause of anything must be at least as perfect as its effect. What do you think?

Descartes’ Trademark Argument Read p of Cardinal. Copy down the formal argument. Use p.127-p.129 to discuss the causal principle (premise 1) on your tables and ‘flesh out’ the premises of the formal argument with your own notes.

Evaluating Descartes’ Trademark Argument StrengthsWeaknesses Use p , along with points from your own discussions, to identify any strengths and weaknesses of Descartes’ Trademark Argument.

Homework (due next lesson) Create a table of the strengths and weaknesses of Descartes’ Trademark argument (p )