'It is natural for us to seek a Standard of Taste.' (Hume)
             Hume was an empiricist and was influenced by the writings of another 18th century philosopher (John Locke), who believed that all knowledge is acquired through experience etc, and that the mind is a blank page in the beginning. Taste was also an important concept to enlightenment thinkers, and was the subject of much enlightenment writing, although I understand Locke did not write much on this subject, in Hume's essay Of the Standard of Taste. Hume states it is natural for us to seek a standard of taste. He sets out his reasons for this by, first, describing "the great variety of taste" he goes to great lengths to elaborate on this variety, stressing that the differences are not only at a local level but are even more pronounced on a global and timeless level e.g. "but those who can enlarge their view to contemplate distant nations and remote ages, are still more surprised at the great inconsistence and contrariety." Here I think Hume is telling us that we need a standard of taste in order that we might set some sort of "rule by which all sentiments can be reconciled", he then goes on to explain that we at least need some sort of criteria to be set as a guide to what sentiments can be agreed with and what sentiments should be avoided. He points out that different words can mean different things to different people, for example he states that followers and admirers of the Alcoran will see that in some instances sentiments like treachery, inhumanity and revenge are praised, sentiments which in normal circumstances would be thought of as incompatible with civilised society. Hume then suggests that if this rule or criteria, was established, it could be implemented in the settlement of arguments.
             In his essay Hume sets out his arguments in establishing a standard of taste by telling us it is "natural for us to seek a stan...