The eighteenth century Scottish philosopher David Hume
posited that all perceptions of the human mind are of two distinct kinds:
impressions and ideas. He asserted that impressions precede, or are the causes
of, our ideas. He offered the example of our impressions of colors, both
different colors and shades of the same color, producing independent ideas (or
in the present context, attitudes) toward them (Hume, 1740; 1961). The only
exception to this order, according to Hume, is the individual who is, after
many years and exposure to all different types of colors, confronted with a
previously un-experienced shade of blue; Hume believes that the individual’s
imagination makes the leap to “fill in the blank” where the missing shade
belongs amongst the various hues of gradating blue; thus, our idea of blue has
no need for a preceding impression. Of course, the logical extension of this
dimension of the theory is that we may subsequently form distinct ideas on this
shade of blue through succeeding impressions. Can we apply Hume’s theory to our
ideas or attitudes to our fellow human beings? I believe we can.
My parents, though raised in primarily white, middle-class
Southern California neighborhoods, were both exposed at an early age to peoples
of different race and ethnicity in largely positive fashion. Their embrace of
diversity was further cemented when campaigning for Robert Kennedy during his
ill-fated run for the presidency in 1968; this was a leader who made many
strong, positive impressions upon them, not least being a love and acceptance
of all creeds and colors.
When I was a child, our family regularly watched the
television program “All in the Family.” My parents continuously showed a
dislike for the character Archie Bunker, particularly when he discussed people
of color in a negative way, which anyone familiar with the character knows occurred
frequently. Because I had already formed a strong attachment bond with my
parents, their impressions toward Archie manifested themselves in their
behavior which formed my ideas about both Archie and people of color. This was
reinforced and distinctions were made whenever the African-American neighbor
Lionel appeared on screen; my parents displayed a visible affection for this
character, and so did I. Thus, Lionel took his place among the “shades of blue”
as a “good guy” first and foremost. It
was around this time that my family formed a bond with our doctor’s family that
now spans 38 years. This family had adopted an African-American boy and
Vietnamese girl. My exposure to their Vietnamese daughter was new, a shade of
blue I had never encountered, but my idea about her had essentially already
been formed, and for me she took her place in our lovely human rainbow.
I am grateful for this behaviorally influenced attitude, and
shudder to think what my life could be if I had grown up in the next house
over.
Reference
Hume, D. (1740; 1961). A
treatise of human nature. Garden city, ny: Dolphin books.
