Is David Hume a realist or idealist? If neither, then what category does he fall

Question:He falls under the category of British Empiricism. Labels like realist and idealist have to be used carefully in philosophy, as they have historic connotations that are difficult to shake.
Empiricism believes in a rational approach to nature and to the problems of the world. It is not purely deductive, like mathematics, but is willing to experiment to see what happens. This brings it under the banner of realism. Having said that, David Hume was a very warm hearted fellow who liked people a lot, and he would be dismayed by a coldly rational approach to life.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: He falls under the category of British Empiricism. Labels like realist and idealist have to be used carefully in philosophy, as they have historic connotations that are difficult to shake.
Empiricism believes in a rational approach to nature and to the problems of the world. It is not purely deductive, like mathematics, but is willing to experiment to see what happens. This brings it under the banner of realism. Having said that, David Hume was a very warm hearted fellow who liked people a lot, and he would be dismayed by a coldly rational approach to life.

(Stands up and applauds)

Gavin, perfectly said. Exactly.

David Hume was an empiricist. He believed that all reliable knowledge can only be derived from input from the outer world through our senses. I would consider him to be a realist.

Harleigh Kyson Jr.