A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker

A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker

David Hume, the renowned Scottish philosopher, is often associated with his skepticism and empiricism. However, one of his lesser-known ideas is the concept that "a purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker." This statement reflects Hume's belief in the presence of order and design in the universe, even in the minds of those who may not actively seek it out.

Hume's philosophy is rooted in the idea that human knowledge is limited to what can be observed and experienced through the senses. He famously argued that we cannot know anything beyond our immediate perceptions, and that our beliefs are ultimately based on habit and custom rather than reason. However, Hume also recognized the presence of order and design in the world, which he believed could be inferred from the regularities and patterns we observe in nature.