Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

humes-law

philosophical principle

hjuːmz lɔː

Definition

The principle stating that one cannot derive an ‘ought’ from an ‘is’, highlighting the distinction between descriptive statements (what is) and prescriptive statements (what ought to be).

Examples

According to Hume’s Law, just because something is commonly accepted does not mean it should be accepted as a standard of morality.
The debate around climate change policy often invokes Hume’s Law, arguing that facts alone can’t determine what should be done.
When discussing human rights, one must be careful not to confuse what exists with what should exist, as highlighted by Hume’s Law.

Meaning

Hume’s Law, named after philosopher David Hume, emphasizes the philosophical challenge of moving from factual statements to normative conclusions, often leading to discussions on ethics and morality.