Epistemology of “Natural Religion” by D. Hume: Hidden Paradoxes

Abstract

The article examines the paradoxes of the concept of “natural religion” by D. Hume, which arose as a result of his application of the method of radical skepticism to the subjects of religious faith. It is shown that the analysis of D. Hume is a movement from the original theses of a skeptical nature – to theses that coincide with traditional views. The main paradox of his concept is that the impossibility of rational proofs of knowledge of anything (including knowledge of the existence of God) leads to the fact that the basic epistemological category of D. Hume is the category of faith (belief). This, in turn, leads to the disappearance of fundamental differences between what is commonly called “positive” (scientific) knowledge and religious faith. Moreover, in this case, it is religious faith that turns out to be a kind of “model” of any knowledge as such. The merit of D. Hume in clarifying this question is that he clearly pointed out the illegality of separating the representation from the judgment and conclusion in acts of knowledge – and returning reflection to their primary unity in the real experience of consciousness.