David Hartley: Philosophy and Science

Study Notes

David Hartley's Life and Philosophy

Son of a Yorkshire clergyman, trained as a minister at the University of Cambridge, but shifted to a career as a physician due to interest in biology
Remained deeply religious, believing that understanding natural phenomena increased faith in God
Combined empiricism and associationism with rudimentary physiological notions in his philosophical approach

Hartley's Goal and Account of Association

Aimed to synthesize Newton's conception of nerve transmission by vibration with empiricism, especially Locke's
Believed sense impressions produce vibrations in nerves, traveling to the brain and causing similar vibrations in the "medullary substance"
Brain vibrations give rise to sensations, and remaining diminutive vibrations (vibratiuncles) correspond to ideas
Ideas are weaker copies of sensations, similar to brain vibrations associated with sensations but weaker

Notion of Simple and Complex Ideas

Believed complex ideas are formed automatically by the process of association, without active mind processes
Simple ideas associated by contiguity form complex ideas, and complex ideas combine to form "decomplex" ideas
All ideas, no matter how complex, are composed of sensations

Application of Laws of Association to Voluntary Behaviour

Applied the laws of association to understand voluntary behaviour, highlighting the role of association in shaping complex ideas and actions

Influence on the Development of Psychology

Hartley's work marked a significant step in the development of psychology, influencing future thinkers and researchers in the field

Description

This quiz explores the life and work of David Hartley, a philosopher and physician who combined empiricism and associationism with physiological notions. Learn about his goals and contributions to the field.