Naturalisme et scepticisme

Abstract

Hume is qualified as a naturalist in two respects: on the one hand, because he sets himself to observe natural phenomena and more precisely those relating to human nature; on the other hand, because nature refers to a mental activity that eludes the grasp of the thought that tries to seize it. Hume’s dealing with the issue of personal identity creates a tension between these two meanings of naturalism – the power of nature seems to escape the understanding of the philosopher who tries to give reasons for it and both sides of Humian naturalism dissociate themselves. If this tension is not positively resolved, in the opinion of Hume himself, it is reduced through the use of a radical scepticism.