Is politics a science?

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believed that politics is one of the sciences, as it is comprehended within the four sciences of Logic, Morals, Criticism, and Politics, which are closely connected to human nature. "In these four sciences of Logic, Morals, Criticism, and Politics, is comprehended almost every thing, which it can any way import us to be acquainted with, or which can tend either to the improvement or ornament of the human mind." [1]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believed that politics is a science, as he categorized it among the sciences that treat of general facts, such as politics, natural philosophy, and chemistry. This is based on his discussion of the different kinds of reasoning and knowledge. "The sciences, which treat of general facts, are politics, natural philosophy, physic, chemistry, &c. where the qualities, causes and effects of a whole species of objects are enquired into." [2]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believed that politics could be a science, provided that laws and forms of government had a uniform influence upon society. This belief is grounded on his argument that politics, like other disciplines, requires a consistent causal relationship between causes and effects. "How could politics be a science, if laws and forms of goverment had not a uniform influence upon society?" [3]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believed that politics has greater uniformity across time compared to learning and science, and is driven by passions such as interest, ambition, honour, and revenge, which are more consistent than sentiments and understanding. This suggests that politics is more of an art or practice governed by human passions rather than a science in the sense of being governed by principles that are easily varied by education and example. (key quote above) [4]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believes that politics may be reduced to a science, as he argues that the goodness of government is not solely dependent on the character of rulers but also on the structure of the government itself. He criticizes the view that all governments are alike and that their success depends entirely on the administrators. [5]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believed that politics may be reduced to a science. This is shown by the title and content of his essay 'That Politics May Be Reduced To A Science,' which argues for the possibility of applying scientific methods to the study of politics. [6]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believed that politics may be reduced to a science, as he argues that there are general truths in politics that are invariable by the humour or education of either subject or sovereign. [7]
• BELIEF (undated): David Hume believes that political science contributes most to public utility and private satisfaction, but suspects that the world is still too young to fix many general truths in politics that will remain true to the latest posterity, because of insufficient experience and materials for reasoning. (key quote above) [8]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [4].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. David Hume believed that politics is one of the sciences, as it is closely connected to human nature and contributes to public utility. [1]

2. He argued that politics, like other sciences, treats of general facts and requires a consistent causal relationship between causes and effects. [2]

3. Hume believed that politics could be a science if laws and forms of government had a uniform influence upon society. [3]

4. However, he also noted that politics is driven by passions such as interest, ambition, and revenge, which are more consistent than sentiments and understanding. [4]

5. This suggests a tension between viewing politics as a science governed by principles and as an art or practice shaped by human passions. [4]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: David Hume believed that politics could be reduced to a science, but he also recognized the influence of human passions and the limitations of human experience in fixing general truths in politics.

Competing readings: One reading emphasizes the scientific potential of politics based on general truths and uniform principles. Another reading highlights the role of human passions and the instability of political science due to insufficient historical experience. The record supports both readings.

Confidence: Moderate, as the record shows both a belief in the scientific potential of politics and a recognition of its limitations due to human nature and historical context.