Question

In his work, A Treatise of Human Nature, David Hume makes the following observation:

“But in order to induce the men to impose on themselves this restraint, and undergo [cheerfully] all the fatigues and [expenses], to which it subjects them, they must believe, that the children are their own, and that their natural instinct is not directed to a wrong object, when they give a loose to love and tenderness. Now if we examine the structure of the human body, we shall find, that this security is very difficult to be attained on our part; and that since, in the copulation of the sexes, the principle of generation goes from the man to the woman, an error may easily take place on the side of the former, though it be utterly impossible with regard to the latter. From this trivial and anatomical observation is derived that vast difference betwixt the education and duties of the two sexes.” (Book III, Part II, Sect. XII).

Exactly what sort of possible “error” is Hume referring to here, and how is it relevant to his argument?

Answer 1

The given pilosophical ideas by Hume referred to the ideologies and cultural implications on the different sexes and how they are derived from the deeply embedded values, belief systems and operational systems from the natural world. He essentially spoke of the additional responsibility in term of honor and fidelity have different accountability in case of both the sexes. David Hume echoes the point that the child he is raising is his own. Therefore modesty in women, which encourages this trust, is a healthy thing. This essentially were the patriarcal and misogynistic ideas of most philosophers of the time back then. They spoke of terms like 'control' and 'keeping a check', moreover comparing female sex to slave among barbarian traditions, etc.