PLS2607
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 7 APRIL 2025
, PLS2607
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 7 April 2025
Philosophy of Science
Title: Why Hume and the Logical Positivists Viewed Metaphysics Unfavorably
Introduction
Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that concerns itself with the nature of reality,
existence, and the fundamental structure of the world, has long been a subject of
philosophical debate. However, both the Scottish philosopher David Hume and the
20th-century school of thought known as the Logical Positivists expressed significant
skepticism about the value of metaphysical inquiry. In fact, Hume famously declared
that metaphysical ideas should "be cast into the flames" (Hume, 1748), reflecting his
deep concern about the speculative nature of metaphysical claims. Similarly, the Logical
Positivists, a group of philosophers associated with the Vienna Circle, rejected
metaphysics on the grounds that it failed to provide verifiable knowledge. This essay will
explore the reasons why both Hume and the Logical Positivists viewed metaphysics
unfavorably, focusing on their shared emphasis on empirical verification and their
criticisms of abstract, unverifiable claims.
David Hume’s Critique of Metaphysics
David Hume’s skepticism toward metaphysics is rooted in his broader philosophical
commitment to empiricism. Empiricism, the view that knowledge comes from sensory
experience, was central to Hume's epistemology. In his work An Enquiry Concerning
Human Understanding (1748), Hume argued that all knowledge is either derived from
"impressions" (direct sensory experiences) or "ideas" (mental representations of those
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 7 APRIL 2025
, PLS2607
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 7 April 2025
Philosophy of Science
Title: Why Hume and the Logical Positivists Viewed Metaphysics Unfavorably
Introduction
Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that concerns itself with the nature of reality,
existence, and the fundamental structure of the world, has long been a subject of
philosophical debate. However, both the Scottish philosopher David Hume and the
20th-century school of thought known as the Logical Positivists expressed significant
skepticism about the value of metaphysical inquiry. In fact, Hume famously declared
that metaphysical ideas should "be cast into the flames" (Hume, 1748), reflecting his
deep concern about the speculative nature of metaphysical claims. Similarly, the Logical
Positivists, a group of philosophers associated with the Vienna Circle, rejected
metaphysics on the grounds that it failed to provide verifiable knowledge. This essay will
explore the reasons why both Hume and the Logical Positivists viewed metaphysics
unfavorably, focusing on their shared emphasis on empirical verification and their
criticisms of abstract, unverifiable claims.
David Hume’s Critique of Metaphysics
David Hume’s skepticism toward metaphysics is rooted in his broader philosophical
commitment to empiricism. Empiricism, the view that knowledge comes from sensory
experience, was central to Hume's epistemology. In his work An Enquiry Concerning
Human Understanding (1748), Hume argued that all knowledge is either derived from
"impressions" (direct sensory experiences) or "ideas" (mental representations of those
