Thomas Reid

Date of Birth: April 26, 1710

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 7, 1796

Biography

Thomas Reid was a prominent Scottish philosopher born on April 26, 1710, in Strachan, Scotland. He is best known as the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense and made significant contributions to epistemology and metaphysics. Reid was educated at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, where he later became a regent. In 1751, he took up the position of Professor of Philosophy at King’s College, Aberdeen, and subsequently moved to the University of Glasgow in 1764. Reid’s work was a direct response to the skepticism of David Hume, his contemporary. He argued against the notion that human perception is inherently deceptive, positing instead that our senses provide us with direct and reliable knowledge of the world. 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 Man” (1788). Thomas Reid passed away on October 7, 1796, in Glasgow, Scotland. His ideas continued to influence philosophers and scholars long after his death, contributing significantly to the development of modern philosophy.

5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Reid

1. Thomas Reid founded the Scottish School of Common Sense, which opposed the skeptical philosophy of David Hume.

2. He was a licensed minister of the Church of Scotland before fully dedicating himself to philosophy.

3. Reid’s philosophical work emphasized that human beings have a range of “common sense” beliefs that are foundational and not subject to skepticism.

4. He was a member of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society, often referred to as the “Wise Club,” which included prominent intellectuals of the time.

5. Despite his significant contributions to philosophy, Reid remained relatively modest, often crediting his predecessors and contemporaries for his insights.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Reid

1. “The rules of navigation never navigated a ship. The rules of architecture never built a house.”

2. “There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words.”

3. “A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and life is after all a chain.”

4. “Every indication of wisdom, taken from the effect, is equally an indication of power to execute what wisdom planned.”

5. “The first principles of the science of morals are self-evident to every man who has a conscience.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Thomas Reid did not achieve significant financial wealth from his philosophical endeavors. His net worth, adjusted for modern understanding, was modest and primarily derived from his academic positions and clerical duties.

Children

Thomas Reid had one child, a daughter named Martha Reid, who was born in 1756. She lived a private life and there is limited information available about her public contributions or personal endeavors.