Discover how David Hume’s cause-and-effect reasoning explains the credibility of testimony, emphasizing past experiences and human nature in belief formation.
Table of Contents
Question
How does the cause-and-effect relation explain the way testimony works according to Hume?
A. Testimony works because we have an innate trust in others.
B. Testimony is believed because we have past experiences where the testimony has been true, leading us to expect new testimony to be true.
C. Testimony is unreliable because it cannot be empirically verified.
D. Testimony is believed due to logical deduction.
Answer
B. Testimony is believed because we have past experiences where the testimony has been true, leading us to expect new testimony to be true.
Explanation
David Hume’s epistemology of testimony is rooted in his broader theory of causation and inductive reasoning. According to Hume, our belief in testimony arises from our past experiences of its reliability. Specifically:
- Causal Reasoning and Testimony: Hume views testimony as an effect whose credibility depends on the observed conjunction between testimony and truth in the past. When we repeatedly experience that certain types of testimony correspond to actual facts, we form an expectation that similar testimony will also be true in the future.
- Role of Experience: Hume emphasizes that our confidence in testimony is based on empirical evidence. For example, if people consistently provide accurate accounts, we infer their reliability through habit or custom—a psychological mechanism that underpins all causal reasoning.
- Natural Human Tendencies: While humans have an innate inclination to trust others (especially in childhood), this credulity is refined and corrected by experience. Over time, we learn to judge testimony based on its alignment with prior evidence and the credibility of the source.
Thus, Hume’s explanation aligns with Option B, as it reflects his reductionist approach: belief in testimony is justified by repeated observations of its truthfulness, forming a cause-and-effect relationship between the act of testifying and the facts it represents.
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