Historical reference: Hume and critical realism
论证思想史发展能为现代讨论提供信息，通过分析休谟思想对批判实在论的相关性，强调其信念和想象概念在哲学基础与理论内容中的价值。
The purpose of this paper is to make the case for discussing developments in the history of thought as having the potential to inform modern discussion. The case is made by means of considering the particular relevance of David Hume's thought for critical realism, emphasising his use of the concepts of belief and imagination both in establishing philosophical foundations and as being relevant for theory content. The notion that context is significant is used constructively by suggesting that important elements in common between the contexts of Hume and of modern discussions reinforce the potential value of considering Hume's ideas.