First Advisor

Angela Coventry

Date of Award

3-2-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy and University Honors

Department

Philosophy

Subjects

David Hume (1711-1776), Causation, Modern philosophy, Habituation (Neuropsychology), Cognitive neuroscience

DOI

10.15760/honors.530

Abstract

This purpose of this thesis is to empirically verify Hume’s theory of our epistemic knowledge of causality in contemporary models of habituation in neuroscience. By using contemporary habituation as supplementary evidence to Hume’s theory I hope to demonstrate how this verification strengthens his argument, which is particularly important considering Hume’s empiricist roots. To accomplish this, I will investigate the Early Modern science used to inform Hume’s theory, explicate Hume’s theory, and then relate it to studies of the amygdala, hippocampus and the peripheral nervous system in cognitive neuroscience. Drawing interdisciplinary connections across theories in philosophy and the empirical sciences can give us the most plausible, accurate and holistic explanation in answering some of life’s biggest questions.

Rights

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Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/25164

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