Research Workshop on "Does Hume Solve Skepticism?"

Jason Collins (UCSB Grad Student)

March 1, 2019,12:10 - 2:00 pm in 33-289 (Clyde P. Fisher Science Hall)

Does Hume Solve Skepticism?

Abstract: In the final section of Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding Hume rejects excessive skepticism in favor of the way he thinks we form beliefs. However, why Hume feels comfortable rejecting excessive skepticism is not so clear cut. Some maintain that Hume does not offer an epistemic justification for his rejection of skepticism. However, others find in Hume some theoretical answer to the skeptic’s challenge wherein the skeptic makes some argumentative mistake or overlooks the justification of our beliefs. I argue for a middle ground between these two camps. Hume is neither a committed skeptic nor does he provide a theoretical answer to skepticism. Instead, Hume’s rejection of skepticism stems from his commitment to his unique epistemic methodology focused on the usefulness of the belief forming mechanism in question.

The Cal Poly Philosophy department is continuing the Research Workshop series. At these Research Workshops, graduate students from the UC Santa Barbara philosophy department come to Cal Poly to discuss some of their current work over lunch with our students and faculty. The Philosophy Research Workshops provide an opportunity to encounter and explore areas of current graduate student research. If the topics seem puzzling, consider attending so you may learn more about areas of philosophy beyond the scope of your current experience. We have scheduled two Research Workshops in Fall, with more scheduled for Winter and Spring.

The Cal Poly Research Workshop is made possible by the generous support of our alumni and benefactors.

For questions please contact:
Ken Brown
Department Chair
dbrown07@calpoly.edu