Thomas Reid

Thomas Reid ( born April 26, 1710 in Strachan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, † October 7, 1796 in Glasgow, Scotland) was a Scottish philosopher and contemporary of David Hume. He is considered the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense philosophy and played an important role in the ( Scottish ) Enlightenment.

Biography

He spent the first part of his life in Aberdeen, where he studied at the University of Aberdeen and the Wise Club, a literary- philosophical association founded. In 1752 he was given a professorship at King 's College, Aberdeen. There he wrote to Inquiry Into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense, which was published in 1764. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position at the University of Glasgow, where he became the successor of Adam Smith. He became professor emeritus in 1781.

Philosophy

The reconnaissance Reid was of the opinion that a Common Sense (the " common sense " ) is the foundation of all philosophical inquiry, or at least should be. He disagrees with the contemporary idealist, also enlightened empiricist David Hume and George Berkeley, who postulated that there is no provable outside world outside of human perceptions. According to Reid, the existence of matter and spirit of the " Common Sense " is conveyed to us, which from the way we were created by God, arises.

In his time was Reid as important as the better-known today David Hume. He was a representative of direct realism (or Common Sense Realism ) and rejected the rationalist approach of René Descartes and the empiricism of John Locke linked to it back. Reid admired Hume and asked him his " Inquiry" proofread.

His theory of knowledge had a strong influence on the theory of morality. If it creates the philosophy to reaffirm our everyday beliefs, we must act on them, since they are right. His moral philosophy is influenced by the Stoics, Thomas Aquinas and the Christian doctrine. He liked to quote Cicero, from whom he took over the term sensus communis.

His reputation waned after ( philosophical ) attacks by Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill, his teaching but was more widespread, especially in North America and defended by the French cultural philosopher Victor Cousin.

With Reid employed in the 19th century continues to William Hamilton, who began the works of Reid surrendered and William Alston. At the beginning of the 20th century was referring GE Moore, one of the pioneers of analytic philosophy, and Reid gave his thoughts again greater attention. The two analytical philosopher Roderick M. Chisholm and Alvin Plantinga have dealt intensively with Reid's works and adopted some of his views.

Works

• Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense (1764, Glasgow & London), dt Thomas Reid's study of the human mind, according to the principles of common sense. From d Engl, after d 3rd edition trans., Leipzig, in Schwickertschen Publishers, 1782
• Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man ( 1785 )
• Essays on the Active Powers of Man (1788 )