Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai's Key Ideas from Thomas Reid and the Story of Epistemology
by Nicholas Wolterstorff
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There are two ways of describing what a person believes: one way is to state the proposition which she believes, and the other is to pick out that entity about which she believes something and then state what it is that she believes about that entity
NICHOLAS WOLTERSTORFF
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Thomas Reid’s Common Sense Philosophy
- Reid's philosophy centers on common sense, challenging skepticism by affirming that basic beliefs are self-evident
- He argues that ordinary experiences, like perceiving the world, provide a foundation for knowledge, resisting radical doubt
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Reid’s Critique of the "Way of Ideas"
- Reid rejects the prevailing "Way of Ideas," which suggests that we perceive only mental images of objects
- He asserts that we directly perceive objects themselves, marking a shift from representationalism to direct realism
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Importance of Testimony in Epistemology
Reid emphasizes the role of testimony in acquiring knowledge, arguing that much of what we know comes from others
Trust in testimony is a natural human disposition, crucial for the transmission of knowledge in society
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Perception and Belief Formation
Reid views perception as a foundational source of belief, offering immediate knowledge of the external world
He challenges the idea that perception is uncertain, asserting that our sensory experiences give us justified beliefs
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Reid’s Response to Skepticism
- Reid argues that skepticism, especially of external reality, is unreasonable because it contradicts common sense and human nature
- By defending direct realism, Reid offers a compelling answer to skepticism about the existence of the external world
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Epistemological Dualism: Internalism vs. Externalism
- Reid’s epistemology combines elements of both internalism and externalism, emphasizing both the mental states and external facts that justify belief
- He seeks to reconcile the reliability of our mental faculties with the objective nature of the world
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IDEAS CURATED BY
CURATOR'S NOTE
Nicholas Wolterstorff’s Thomas Reid and the Story of Epistemology explores Reid's common sense philosophy, emphasizing direct realism and the role of perception in belief formation. Reid critiques the "Way of Ideas" and defends the trustworthiness of testimony and perception. The book is important for revitalizing Reid’s relevance in contemporary epistemological debates.
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