Polymatheia (Jul 2021)
WILL AND LIBERTY IN HUME AND BERKELEY
Abstract
This paper aims to compare Hume and Berkeley’s approach on will and liberty. Berkeley defines will as a mind’s faculty, whereas Hume understands it attached to impressions. Both philosophers claim for definition as a philosophical method to enhance the knowledge of nature. The conclusion discusses determinism as attached to liberty. Since his religious commitment, Berkeley tried to turn compatible determinism and liberty. Despite the current arguments that called Hume a stringent determinist due to his aim of a Science of human nature, we state that this thesis should be revised. In other words, we can’t assure definitely Hume as a determinist (Penelhum, 1993, 243), seeing that his argument covers the possibility of liberty.
