Humans cannot know the ultimate causes of things from "summary" of An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume
It is a common belief among humans that they are capable of understanding the causes of things. They often seek to uncover the reasons behind various events and phenomena, believing that they can ultimately arrive at a complete understanding of the world around them. However, upon closer examination, this belief appears to be flawed. When humans attempt to understand the causes of things, they often rely on their senses and reasoning abilities. They observe the world around them, make inferences based on their observations, and formulate theories to explain the phenomena they encounter. However, despite their best efforts, humans are limited in their ability to truly comprehend the ultimate causes of things. The primary reason for this limitation lies in the nature of human cognition. Humans are finite beings with finite minds, and as such, they are incapable of grasping the infinite complexity of the universe. The causes of things are often hidden behind a veil of mystery, beyond the reach of human perception and understanding. No matter how sophisticated their scientific methods or how advanced their technology, humans will always be confronted with the fundamental unknowability of the ultimate causes of things. Moreover, even if humans were able to uncover the ultimate causes of things, it is questionable whether they would be able to fully comprehend them. The ultimate causes of things may be so far removed from human experience and reasoning that they are incomprehensible to the human mind. In attempting to understand these causes, humans may only succeed in creating elaborate intellectual constructs that bear little resemblance to the true nature of reality.- It becomes clear that humans cannot know the ultimate causes of things. They may continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, seeking to uncover the hidden forces that govern the world, but they will always be faced with the inherent limitations of their cognitive faculties. The quest for ultimate knowledge may be a noble pursuit, but it is a pursuit that is ultimately destined to remain beyond the grasp of human understanding.
