Was Hume a Proper Functionalist?

Author: Meeker, Kevin

Source: Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, Volume 72, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 120-136(17)

Publisher: International Phenomenological Society

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Abstract:

Nicholas Wolterstorff has claimed that David Hume hinted at a proper functionalist account that anticipates the epistemology of Alvin Plantinga. In this paper, I shall argue that we should refrain from attributing a proper functionalist epistemology to Hume. I shall first raise doubts as to how one could fit a notion of proper functioning into Hume's descriptive project. Next, I shall argue that adopting a proper functionalist epistemology would undermine some of Hume's most famous claims about causal inferences.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-01-01

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