ABSTRACT
For Hume, scepticism does not pose a problem. It enables us to proportion belief to the evidence. Both philosophers and ordinary people, especially the latter, are better off for being impressed by the force of sceptical arguments. Hume came to realize that scepticism does not need to be supported by showing that some of our most important beliefs are based on trivial operations of the imagination conducted by false presuppositions. It suffices that the causes and reasons for these beliefs be opposed by arguments of equal force and authority. Had Hume offered a more robust account of our experience of publicly observable objects, which he had the resources to do, his proper sceptical arguments would still stand as “proof against proof.” We get over some of the doubt they lead us into, but we remain less credulous for having had that experience.
