Hume's law meaning

Hume's law states that one cannot derive an 'ought' from an 'is' statement.


Hume's law definitions

Word backwards s'emuH wal
Part of speech Hume's law is a noun phrase.
Syllabic division Hume's law has two syllables: Hume's / law.
Plural Hume's laws
Total letters 8
Vogais (3) u,e,a
Consonants (5) h,m,s,l,w

Hume's Law, also known as Hume's Guillotine, refers to the philosophical principle proposed by the Scottish philosopher David Hume in the 18th century. This law essentially states that one cannot derive an "ought" from an "is."

What this means is that objective moral values cannot be logically derived from statements about how the world is. In other words, just because something is a certain way does not mean it ought to be that way. This disconnect between facts about the world and moral values is a fundamental aspect of Hume's Law.

Implications of Hume's Law

The implications of Hume's Law are far-reaching in the field of ethics. It challenges the idea that moral judgments can be grounded purely in objective facts about the world. Instead, it suggests that moral values are subjective and cannot be derived from empirical observations.

Moral Skepticism

One significant implication of Hume's Law is moral skepticism. This is the idea that we cannot have any justified beliefs about morality because there is no logical connection between facts and values. As a result, Hume's Law raises questions about the possibility of moral knowledge.

Ethical Dilemmas

Another implication of Hume's Law is the existence of ethical dilemmas. If moral values cannot be objectively derived from facts, then individuals may find themselves in situations where they must make difficult moral decisions without clear guidelines or justifications.

In conclusion, Hume's Law presents a compelling argument against the idea that moral values can be derived from objective facts. By highlighting the disconnect between "is" statements and "ought" statements, Hume challenges traditional views on the nature of ethics and moral knowledge.


Hume's law Examples

  1. According to Hume's law, you cannot derive an "ought" from an "is".
  2. Hume's law states that moral statements are not equivalent to statements of fact.
  3. The concept of Hume's law is often used in discussions about ethics and morality.
  4. Philosophers frequently refer to Hume's law when debating the nature of moral philosophy.
  5. Debates over the implications of Hume's law have been ongoing for centuries.
  6. Hume's law challenges the idea that moral principles can be deduced from empirical evidence.
  7. Some argue that Hume's law undermines the basis of ethical reasoning.
  8. The principle of Hume's law has been a cornerstone of ethical philosophy for generations.
  9. Hume's law has significant implications for how we understand moral discourse.
  10. Critics of Hume's law contend that it restricts our ability to establish moral truths.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 12/05/2024 - 11:02:42