A Hypothesis about Hypotheses in Hume: The Role of Intuition

Abstract

This paper supports the following hypothesis: if a hypothesis has epistemic value for Hume, this value has to derive from intuition. I consider the three possible sources of knowledge in Hume’s thinking: demonstration, experience and intuition. Then, considering that Hume presents his doctrine of belief as a hypothesis, I argue that the epistemic value of hypotheses cannot derive from demonstration nor experience, therefore, either the hypotheses lack epistemic value or their epistemic value derives from intuition. To support the proposed hypothesis I offer an analysis of textual evidence related to hypothesis and intuition in the light of the available literature on the subject.