Of the Association of Ideas

Hume attempts to distinguish between relative ideas and matters of fact. Relative ideas are in a sense mathematical truths, so we cannot count them out without contradicting ourselves. Matters of fact are the truths we learn through experience. We comprehend matters of fact through cause and effect, seeing that an experience leads us to assume a cause unbenknownst to us yet. Hume argues that cause and effect assumptions involving two events aren't necessarily true. It is possible for a simple connection to be contradictory seeing that a simple connect is usually an assumption most likely without reason.

Of the Origin of Ideas

Hume points out that there is a the difference between impressions and ideas. Impressions start outside us and travel through our senses, our emotions, and other mental sense we may contain. On the other hand, our thoughts or ideas, beliefs and convictions, or any memories that we may have connect to or derive from our impressions. He claims that we construct our ideas from basic impressions either through effect, resemblance, or continuation.