Final answer:
Hume's philosophical perspective challenges the ease with which we form cause-and-effect relations, emphasizing the role of habit in our beliefs about causation and the distinction between morality's sentiment-based nature and the factual world.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contention that a logical connection between cause and effect might work against establishing a cause-and-effect relationship stems from several philosophical inquiries, including those by David Hume. Hume argued that while we can observe correlations or sequences of events, this does not necessarily establish a causal link. Reflecting a skepticism towards the assumption of causality, he proposed that our belief in cause and effect is a result of habit or custom, not rational deduction. This poses challenges in reasoning because if we can't be certain of causal relationships, then our basis for beliefs in the physical world and ethics might also be called into question.
Hume's perspective influenced debates on the nature of logical connections and the role of reason and behavior in determining causality. For instance, reason enables us to form coherent sets of beliefs; however, when dealing with complex human behavior, the demarcation between what 'is' and what 'ought' to be, as Hume notes, is not clear-cut and cannot be derived simply from factual observations. He emphasized that morality involves sentiments, which are not purely logical or factual.
In the realm of science and empirical studies, the only solid method to establish a cause-and-effect relationship is through controlled experiments. Outside of this rigorous structure, we risk confusing correlation with causation. Baron D'Holbach and other philosophers discussing determinism built upon the observation of causality, assuming a world operated entirely by natural laws. Yet, Hume and subsequent philosophers caution against overstepping our intellectual boundaries by assuming causation without proper evidence, underscoring the importance of not conflating observed correlations with established cause and effect.