Liberty and Necessity

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Hume asserts that this question of necessity and liberty has been looked at in the wrong light, attacked from the wrong end. To reiterate, in examining the operations of the body and the subsequent effects from their causes, Hume believes that we can only know and observe that like objects are constantly conjoined together. Likewise, the mind is carried by what Hume calls a “customary transition” from the appearance of one object to the conviction of another. This customary transition is the reason why men have always believed that they have more insight into the operations of nature than they actually do. It is not felt; rather it is done naturally and always has been. Since we do not feel any connection between motive and action many have concluded that there is indeed a difference between the connections in physical necessity and of those not felt in their mind. Necessity in this sense is perfectly compatible with liberty.

Hume defines liberty as having the power to act or not act in accordance with the determinations of the will. If we choose to remain at rest then we may do so, if we choose to move then we may also do so. Likewise, if I choose to cross the street then I may do so. He argues that in defining liberty there are also two “requisite circumstances” that must be observed. First, that it be consistent with plain matters of fact and second, that it be consistent with itself. These requisites point back to the fact that chance is indeed a negative, and does not actually exist. Hume believes that everyone enjoys this kind of liberty except in the case some outside force or circumstance restricts one’s ability to do what he or she will. In other words, liberty is the freedom from constraints rather than the freedom to act or not act. The difference between free and un-free actions lies in the type of fundamental cause, rather than the presence or absence of a cause. Free actions are willed by the person, un-free actions by external circumstances.

For Hume, speaking of human nature is the same as our right to speak of liberty because defined as such, liberty requires a necessary connection between a person’s character and their actions. This is due to the fact that necessity, properly understood, consists of constant conjunction between events along with the mind inferring one event from the other. Our actions and our behavior, which constitute our nature and are for the most part consistent and uniform across humankind, consist in the determination of our thoughts to infer the existence of our action from some preceding object. This is justified and can be seen when one considers the fact that only character traits can determine moral sentiment. Hume states that actions can only be given moral value if they are indications of one’s internal character, his nature. If someone acts blindly or in ignorance, they cannot be blamed for their actions. Actions only render a person criminal if they are proofs of criminal principles in the mind. These distinctions of vice and virtue are found in the mind, and because the mind is so formed by nature, as can be seen when necessity and liberty are properly defined, that they cannot be controlled or altered by philosophical theory or speculation of any kind.