Thomas Reid 
An Inquiry into the Human Mind: On the Principles of Common Sense 

Thomas Reid’s ‘An Inquiry into the Human Mind: On the Principles of Common Sense’ is a groundbreaking philosophical work that challenges the skepticism of his time and explores the foundation of knowledge through an examination of human cognition. Reid’s writing style is characterized by its clarity and logical rigor, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wide audience. The book delves into the nature of perception, memory, and reason, emphasizing the importance of common sense in the pursuit of truth. As a response to the works of David Hume, Reid’s inquiry provides a fresh perspective on the human mind and its capacity for understanding the world. By advocating for the innate principles of common sense, Reid offers a compelling argument against skepticism and promotes a more optimistic view of human knowledge and understanding. Scholars often cite this work as a significant contribution to the field of philosophy, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the nature of the mind and the limits of human understanding.

Giới thiệu về tác giả

Thomas Reid (1710-1796), a prominent philosopher and contemporary of David Hume and Immanuel Kant, is best known for founding the Scottish Common Sense School of Philosophy. Holding a critical stance toward the Skepticism and Empiricism that dominated the thought of his era, Reid’s work ‘An Inquiry into the Human Mind: On the Principles of Common Sense’ (1764) stands as a clarion call for a philosophy grounded in an immediate awareness of the self-evident truths of natural perception and reason. Reid, a defender of the notion that certain principles are inherent in the very constitution of our minds and are therefore beyond doubt, argued against the notion that all knowledge is derived from sense data alone. His work has had a lasting influence not only in philosophy but also in the fields of epistemology and philosophy of mind, where his ideas continued to resonate, offering resistance to radical forms of skepticism. Reid’s literary style combines rigorous argument with an appeal to ordinary experience, making his complex ideas accessible to a broad range of readers. His writings, while deep and philosophical, were keen observations of the ordinary and an earnest quest for knowledge grounded in common sense. Reid’s legacy is preserved in the study of the original structures of human thought, particularly in the areas of ethical and moral reasoning. His ‘common sense’ ideas continue to be a vital part of philosophical discourse today.