Thomas Reid’s iconoclastic approach of Philosophy

Thomas Reid was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher who faced significant challenges within the philosophical community. His philosophy, known as common sense realism, stands in contrast to traditional mainstream philosophical theories. Reid is remembered for two main contributions: his unique philosophical approach and his criticisms of prominent thinkers such as David Hume, John Locke, George Berkeley, and René Descartes. Reid argued that skepticism, which posits that humans can only acquire knowledge through empirical observation and that ideas are objects of the mind’s awareness, is incompatible with common sense. He emphasized that our perception, derived from our sensory organs, is the primary source of knowledge. His concept of direct realism asserts that the primary objects of sense perceptions are physical objects in the real world, rather than preconceived ideas within human minds. Interestingly, Ayn Rand's philosophy aligns with Reid's views on this matter. In his work, "Essays on the Active Power of Man," Reid defended objective knowledge against subjectivism. He believed that human beings possess preconceived notions or concepts of power, which he termed "conception of power." According to Reid, individuals have cognitive capacities that are not influenced by external sources. Although power itself cannot be defined, it exists within all beings and is activated by our will. Reid posited that the senses play a crucial role in how humans acquire knowledge, asserting that actions, ideas, and thoughts stem from sensory input. He characterized sensation as a fundamental and straightforward operation of the mind, arguing that all beings are born with the ability to sense their environment. Reid maintained that the mind’s operation to perceive and act upon sensations is not logically proven, and sensations themselves have limited utility. Perception is the realm where only human beings can distinguish and acquire knowledge about the world. He argued that senses are inherent features of living beings, giving humans the cognitive power to differentiate information from the external world. In contrast, he claimed that animals lack the ability to categorize information as they do not possess the same cognitive powers. Reid insisted that senses provide irrefutable truths, constructing our ideas and perceptions of the outside world. He believed that an object must exist in order to be perceived, requiring engagement through sensory organs. His theory of common sense resonates with Rand’s epistemology. Rand proposes that consciousness develops in three stages: the stage of sensations, the perceptual stage, and the conceptual stage. She views the perceptual stage as the foundation of all human knowledge, aligning with Reid’s assertion that sensations form the undeniable basis for knowledge. Furthermore, Reid emphasized that the mind intentionally initiates actions, advocating for the active power of the mind in exercising human will. He argued that the capacity for volition implies the power to choose whether to act or refrain from acting. This belief underscores Reid’s view that humans have control over their choices and are free to will or resist willing. He asserted that ideas are not mere mental constructs, but rather actions of the mind. For instance, virtue is not just an idea; it is a resolution to act virtuously, learned through sensory experiences. Reid stated, “Every virtuous action agrees with the uncorrupted principles of human nature.” He believed that the resolutions formed in the mind manifest in a person’s consistent actions. Similarly, he argued that the knowledge of appetites such as the desire for knowledge, power, lust, and hunger are intrinsic principles of action in human beings, rather than mere mental concepts. Like Reid, Rand asserts that the evidence from our senses is absolute, saying that “man must learn to understand it; his mind must discover the nature, the causes, the full context of his sensory material, and identify the things that he perceives.” In conclusion, Thomаs Reid's epistemology is unique compared to that of his predecessors. Plato postulated that knowledge is not derived from the senses, but rather through reasoning and contemplation. Aristotle contended that knowledge is gained from perception, where any lack of perception results in a lack of knowledge. Kant proposed that knowledge comes from a synthesis of reason and experience. Reid, however, criticized the skeptical views held by his predecessors, advocating for a theory of ideas based on direct objectivity, claiming that our senses lead us to what is true, as our thoughts may not always be reliable.