For this paper, your task is both exegetical and analytical. You will need to explain an argument or position we have covered in lectures and discussion sections and also critically evaluate that argument or position. In the exegetical part of your paper, your aim should be to explain the argument or position in question as clearly and accurately as possible.
For the evaluative part of your paper, bear in mind that you are not just being asked to state your opinion about the argument or position under discussion. Rather, you are being asked to give clear reasons or arguments for the assessment you make.
In other words, it is not enough to write that you find an argument or position convincing or unconvincing. You must explain why it is convincing or unconvincing in a way that aims to convince your reader. Your paper should also contain an introduction. Be sure to follow the guidelines on writing an introduction when writing the introduction to your paper.
Topics:
1) In An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Hume states and argues for a principle we have called, ‘The Copy Principle’. In your paper, you should, first, state and explain the copy principle, and Hume’s two arguments for this principle. Next, consider and assess at least one reason to reject Hume’s copy principle.
For example, you could consider a reason to reject one or both of Hume’s arguments for the principle. Or, you could consider a possible counterexample to the principle (like the missing shade of blue). In assessing the reason/s you discuss, you may either accept or reject it/them.
2) Outline and explain Hume’s formulation of the problem of induction. In outlining Hume’s argument, you should focus on the parts of Enquiry §IV where Hume addresses the question of whether and how inductive judgments are justified. In the end, does Hume himself conclude that inductive judgments are not justified?
If you think he does not make this conclusion, be sure to explain why. If you think he does draw this conclusion, do you think there are any possible ways one could justify our inductive judgments despite Hume’s arguments?
3) Outline and explain Hume’s ‘skeptical solution’ to the problem of induction (your explanation here will need to appeal to Hume’s story about custom and habit).
In doing this, be sure to explain the sense in which his solution is a skeptical one (you will need to appeal to the distinction between a normative and a descriptive explanation to explain this.)
Finally, explain whether, and why, you find Hume’s solution to be satisfactory or unsatisfactory (you should feel free to appeal to Goodman’s description of Hume’s solution for this part of your paper, but this is not compulsory).
