Thomas Reid

Cameo of Thomas Reid by James Tassie, Hunterian Museum, Glasgow

Thomas Reid (7 May 1710 – 7 October 1796) was a Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume. Reid founded the Scottish Common Sense Realism school of philosophy and was a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. His philosophy played an integral part in shaping the moral and political thought in 18th-century Britain and America.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Reid was born in Strachan, Kincardineshire, Scotland, to Lewis Reid and Margaret Gregory, the latter being sister to James Gregory, the inventor of the Gregorian telescope. Reid's early education was provided by his parents, followed by studies at the University of Aberdeen, where he was particularly influenced by the works of Aristotle and Epictetus. In 1726, he graduated from Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, and in 1737, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity by King's College, Aberdeen.

Philosophical Work

Reid is most renowned for his critique of David Hume's empiricism. Hume argued that our belief in the external world and causation cannot be justified rationally; instead, they are products of habit and imagination. In response, Reid developed his philosophy of Common Sense Realism, asserting that the existence of the external world and certain concepts, such as cause and effect, are inherent in human cognition and do not require empirical evidence for their validation.

His major works include An Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense (1764), Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man (1785), and Essays on the Active Powers of the Human Mind (1788). In these works, Reid argued against the Theory of Ideas advocated by John Locke, George Berkeley, and Hume, proposing instead that common sense beliefs have a foundation in human nature and thus should not be questioned by philosophical skepticism.

Impact and Legacy

Reid's philosophy laid the groundwork for the later development of philosophy of mind and epistemology, influencing many philosophers, including Immanuel Kant and American philosophers of the 19th century like Charles Sanders Peirce. His ideas also played a crucial role in the development of moral philosophy, particularly in the works of Adam Smith and Dugald Stewart.

Reid's emphasis on common sense and the reliability of human perceptions had a significant impact on the American Enlightenment, shaping the ideological underpinnings of the American Revolution and the creation of the United States Constitution.

Later Life

Thomas Reid succeeded Adam Smith as Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1764, where he continued his academic and philosophical work until his retirement in 1781. Reid passed away in Glasgow on 7 October 1796.

Conclusion

Thomas Reid's contributions to philosophy, particularly his development of Scottish Common Sense Realism, have had a lasting impact on both philosophy and the broader fields of moral and political thought. His work remains a subject of study and debate among philosophers, highlighting the enduring relevance of his ideas on common sense, perception, and human nature.