# Part II: Of the Ideas of Space and Time explained — A Treatise of Human Nature

> Chapter companion for A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume.

## What happens

This chapter examines the origins of our ideas of space and time, arguing that they are derived from impressions of external objects and internal perceptions. Hume contends that our idea of space comes from the manner in which visible and tangible objects are disposed, and our idea of time from the succession of perceptions. He argues against the notion of infinite divisibility, asserting that our ideas of space and time are finite and composed of indivisible points or moments. The chapter also includes a rejection of the idea of a vacuum, claiming that we cannot form a coherent idea of empty space, and a discussion of how the mind's capacity to perceive relations like contiguity and succession forms the basis for these ideas.

## Themes in this chapter

### Empiricism and the Primacy of Impressions

Hume grounds the ideas of space and time in impressions, arguing that they are derived from the manner in which objects appear to us, rather than being innate or abstract concepts.

### Skepticism About the External World

The rejection of the idea of a vacuum and the limitation of our ideas to what is derived from impressions demonstrates a skeptical stance towards concepts that go beyond our perceptual experience.

## Character check-ins

### David Hume

The author and primary voice, presenting his philosophical arguments on the origin and nature of our ideas of space and time.

## Key lines

> The idea of space is conveyed to the mind by two senses, the sight and touch; nor do we ever conceive of extension, but as it is either visible or tangible.

Our concept of space comes only from what we can see or touch; we never think of extension without it being related to these senses.

_Hume establishes the empirical origin of the idea of space._

> The idea of time, being derived from the succession of our perceptions of every kind, ideas as well as impressions, and impressions of reflection as well as of sensation, will afford us an instance of an abstract idea, which can be comprehended by the mind.

Time is an abstract idea that comes from the order in which our perceptions, whether thoughts or feelings, occur in sequence.

_Hume explains the origin of the idea of time from the succession of perceptions._

> I may correct this conclusion by a new experiment, which proves that the idea of a vacuum is not derived from a distinct impression.

I can fix this by showing through another test that the idea of empty space doesn't come from any specific sensory experience.

_Hume begins his argument against the idea of a vacuum by questioning its empirical basis._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters/part-ii-of-the-ideas-of-space-and-time
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters