The Problem of ‘Knowledge’ in Hume

Abstract

This paper analyzes Hume's distinction between knowledge and probability in his Treatise. Many scholars believe that this distinction corresponds to the relationship between analytic and synthetic, a priori and a posteriori. However, if we direct our attintion to the concept of resemblance that Hume places in the category of knowledge, this correspondence is harder to see. The fact is, what distinguishes knowledge from probability is whether it is possible to imagine the negative case or not. This distinction is basically psychological but also includes other factors. This paper notes the knowledge of resemblance is equivalent to Wittgenstein's world-picture propositions.