Hume's scepticism regarding reason

There is a tradition perhaps as old as philosophy itself which sees the rationality of man – and in particular, the rationality of the philosopher - as both his essential and his redeeming characteristic; it can not unfairly be said that the discipline of philosophy at least is characterised by its dependence on reason. In this context, the philosophy of David Hume presents something of a stark challenge: Although interpretations vary as to the extent and nature of his scepticism, one of the themes of his work is the limits and imperfections of human reason and the sceptical concerns this engenders. On Hume's system, reason is not the overlord of the imagination but at least in part subordinate to it, and can discover little or nothing without recourse to experience. My aim here is to pinpoint the true nature of Hume's scepticism regarding reason, drawing chiefly on the Treatise but also to a lesser extent the Enquiry. After a brief overview of his project in the Treatise in section 1, I go on to give an account of Hume's conception of reason or the understanding, and the epistemological distinction between demonstrative and probable reasoning, in section 2. In section 3 I examine Hume's famous argument concerning induction, arguing that to read Hume as a sceptic regarding inference is a mistake and that to say induction is grounded in principles of the imagination is not to say that it is therefore irrational. In section 4 I examine the argument of Treatise 1.4.1, 'Of scepticism with regard to reason', and in section 5 the 'dangerous dilemma' to which it leads Hume in 1.4.7, arguing that whilst his treatment of the issues it raises is somewhat unsatisfactory in this section of the Treatise a better solution can be fashioned by appealing to a distinction between the general and the trivial properties of the imagination drawn elsewhere in both the Treatise and the Enquiry. Then in section 6 I conclude by offering my own attempt at characterising the extent of Hume's scepticism regarding reason, arguing that his “mitigated” scepticism is a scepticism about knowledge but not about belief, and that its chief aim is to ensure that we philosophise only on those subjects which are suitable for enquiry given the limits and frailties of our faculties; the “reflections of common life, methodized and corrected” (Enquiry 12.25, p.208) rather than “divinity” or “school metaphysics” (Enquiry 12.34, p.211)

A student-led global health education initiative: reflections on the Kenyan Village Medical Education Program

The Kenyan Village Medical Education Program is a student-led global health initiative that seeks to improve health outcomes in rural Kenya through culturally appropriate health education. The month-long program, which is organised by the Melbourne University Health Initiative (Australia), is conducted each January in southern rural Kenya

Book Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the authors;Sensors & Security, Flashing Lights and Making Noises - reviewed by Dr Rowland DyeMetals and Technology - reviewed by R.M. GawelWood and Technology - reviewed by R.M. GawelNutrition and Food Design - reviewed by Anne GilbertCorporate Identity & Package Design - reviewed by G. AsquithYoung Engineers Handbook - reviewed by John DurrellSpreading the Word - reviewed by David Foste

Policy-making, policy-taking, and policy-shaping:Local government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged nations states across the world. They have implemented lockdown and social distancing and with the development of vaccines have gone to great lengths to build herd immunity for their populations. As place managers, local government has played a variety of roles supporting central government edicts related to social distancing and supporting local businesses impacted by lockdowns. The research reported here comparing the role local government has played in Australia, Canada, Italy, and New Zealand shows that they have at different times and for different issues been policy takers from central government, policy shapers, and policy makers adapting national strategies. Local government plays an important complementary role with central governments in both unitary and federal systems of government. The paper contributes to the literature on multi-level governance, place-based decision-making, and disaster and emergency management by offering a framework for analysingmunicipal roles in crisesmanagement both in their relationship with higher layers of government and in their acting as locally placed organisations

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Design and technology education exhibition  - reviewed by John EgglestonProject 2045 - The Design CouncilBeginning Teaching: Beginning Learning - reviewed by Bridget A. EganThe World of Chocolate - reviewed by Richard AgerSteel & Motorways Curriculum Pack - reviewed by Robert BowenDesign and Technology in Action Teacher's pack - reviewed by Robert Bowenthings: thinking things through with 7-11 year olds - reviewed by Marion RutlandD&T Challenges - reviewed by Tim FulfordSTEP Key Stage 3 Teacher's Handbook 2nd Ed. - reviewed by John HansonDesign and Technology Projects for Secondary Schools - reviewed by George Asquith

1,2,6-thiadiazinones as novel narrow spectrum calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) inhibitors

We demonstrate for the first time that 4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-one (TDZ) can function as a chemotype for the design of ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors. Using insights from a co-crystal structure of a 3,5-bis(arylamino)-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-one bound to calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2), several analogues were identified with micromolar activity through targeted displacement of bound water molecules in the active site. Since the TDZ analogues showed reduced promiscuity compared to their 2,4-dianilinopyrimidine counter parts, they represent starting points for development of highly selective kinase inhibitors

Does Board Independence Reduce the Cost of Debt?

Using the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the associated change in listing standards as a natural experiment, we find that while board independence decreases the cost of debt when credit conditions are strong or leverage low, it increases the cost of debt when credit conditions are poor or leverage high. We also document that independent directors set corporate policies that increase firm risk. These results suggest that, acting in the interest of shareholders, independent directors are increasingly costly to bondholders with the intensification of the agency conflict between these two stakeholders

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Let's Go Bananas with Fyffes - reviewed by Melanie FasciatoLiquids Mean Life - reviewed by Jonty KinsellaDesign and Make It! Food Technology for KS3 - reviewed by Dawn WilliamsFidget - reviewed by George AsquithFinding out about Managing Waste - reviewed by Ann MacGarryHands on! - reviewed by Les PorterSkills in Graphic Products and Teacher's Resource Pack - reviewed by Michael LawranceResistant Materials to GCSE - reviewed by Roman M. GawelInventing the Modern World - reviewed by David SpendloveC for PICmicro Microcontrollers - reviewed by David FosterHow Things Work Today - reviewed by Mark HudsonMachi-work: Education for Participation - reviewed by Maggie RogersOne Good Turn - reviewed by John Egglesto