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: I did not write this but found it useful: : Hume's Criticisms : However, many philosophers have challenged this idea, most notably David Hume (1711-76) in his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. The main thrust of his argument springs from his anlysis of cause and effect and his conclusion that our knowledge of such things is based solely on habit. : From Hume's point of view, when we see one thing cause another our knowledge of that experience is based simply on that process of observation. So, when we see one ball hit another we can only base our knowledge of what the reaction is on seeing it happen. The important consequence of this is that we cannot know the nature of any cause apart from observation. Therefore, certainty - from Hume's point of view - is based on how many times something has happened (how probable it is to reoccur). : His objections may be summarised as follows: : Even if the world were designed, there is no need to suppose either a single or a wholly good creator - it may have been the result of a committee or even an incompetent designer. The existence of evil in the world as well as certain defects also suggest that such a designer could be far less than perfect. : : Since we only have one universe to judge by, it may be that they occur naturally and do not require design. : : It is far from logically impossible that chance was responsible for the way the universe is. : : some spelling changed for U.S congress purposes.

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