Question

Which of the following is not true of David Hume?

• A. Causes of the impressions are unknown
• B. Ideas come prior to impressions
• C. Mind is a bundle of feelings and images
• D. Skepticism with regard to reason

Hint:

For Hume, impressions are original and ideas are copies. Therefore, impressions come before ideas.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:
David Hume was an empiricist philosopher. According to Hume, all contents of the mind are divided into: \[ \text{Impressions} \] and \[ \text{Ideas} \] Impressions are direct, vivid experiences, while ideas are faint copies of impressions.

Step 1: Understand impressions.
Impressions are original experiences. For example, seeing a colour, feeling pain or hearing a sound is an impression.

Step 2: Understand ideas.
Ideas are copies of impressions. For example, remembering a colour or imagining a sound is an idea. So, according to Hume: \[ \text{Impressions come first} \] and \[ \text{Ideas come later} \]

Step 3: Check Hume's bundle theory.
Hume also says that the mind is not a permanent substance. It is a bundle of perceptions, feelings, images and experiences. So, option (C) is true of Hume.

Step 4: Check skepticism.
Hume was skeptical regarding reason, causation and certainty. So, option (D) is also true.

Step 5: Identify the false statement.
The statement: \[ \text{Ideas come prior to impressions} \] is false because Hume holds that impressions come before ideas. Hence: \[ \boxed{\text{(B)}} \]