Humes Theory of Sense Impressions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Humes Theory of Sense Impressions - Essay Example He states that we do not experience the world but instead only experience our sense impressions (what he terms as secondary qualities). However, for us to experience these secondary qualities there must be an existence of primary qualities from which they are derived from (Passer et al 118). Otherwise, his argument would make no sense as it would claim that the sense impressions we experience pop up from nowhere in particular and into being. In order for sense impression to exist, there must be the existence of a source from which these impressions are derived from (Passer et al 120).   The source itself must also possess primary qualities and thus this is proof that there is actually a world out there with objects that have primary qualities (Passer et al 125). The sense impressions that we experience can also be argued to be as a result of the t\interpretation of the true impressions that they are derived from and in order for this to happen there must be an existence of a â€Å"self† which is responsible for the interpretation (Passer et al 127). In conclusion, it can be said by making the argument for the existence of sense impressions, this theory by default creates room for the argument of the existence of objects with primary qualities.   Francis Bacon was a famous philosopher who was also involved in politics during his time and came up with a theory he referred to as Idols of the mind. These were the various traps laid down by conventional thinking that prevented individuals from seeking out the truth in a subject and induced them into being comfortable with the information that has already been presented to them by various sources within the society (Jackson 52).