Although the name of Thomas Reid is not as readily familiar to the layman as other early modern philosophers, such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, or Isaac Newton, he retains a very important position in the development of early modern philosophy. In fact, during his lifetime, Reid would be the founder of several proofs and institutions that would be critical in defining some of the major philosophical ideas of the period, including the idea that common sense should be at the foundation of philosophical inquiry. He was the creator and first member of groups including the Scottish School of Common Sense and the Wise Club.
Thomas Reid was born in the town of Strachan in Scotland, in 1710. Educated as a child at both the local parish and at home, he would attend Marischal College starting at the age of 16. After this, he would continue his education at the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated in 1730. His studies focused on both theology and literature, from which he derived a healthy appreciation for the logical rigours of philosophy. It was at this time that Reid began to take a keen interest in the philosophical ideas being developed by his contemporaries, particularly the works of David Hume and Immanuel Kant.
While it seemed as though Reid was inevitably pointed towards philosophy, his life first took a detour when he agreed to become a minister in Scotland for its Presbyterian Church. This career choice was made in 1737, and over the next fifteen years he would administer a couple of different congregation, marry his cousin, and start what would become a large family.
It is assumed that during his time as a minister, Reid maintained an interest in philosophy, keeping up with the works published by the philosophers of the day. In fact, most people note that it is fairly clear from Reid's writings that he was one of the few people to pick up, read, and assimilate David Hume's A Treatise on Human Nature when it was first published. (Hume claimed that the work was a dismal failure, as far as popularity went.) This work would help to define Reid's own theories on human nature and perception, although they were formed as a rebuttal rather than support of the advancements made by Hume.
In 1752, after twelve years in ministry, Reid accepted an offer by the University of Aberdeen to become a professor of philosophy at King's College. During this time, he began to codify and write down his own ideas on philosophy, which were based around the idea of perception as a product of common sense. His first and best known published piece is entitled An Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense, and was largely a collection of material he presented to the philosophical society of Aberdeen, one of a handful of societies dedicated to philosophy that Reid established.
Interestingly, Reid only maintained his post as a professor of philosophy for one year. In 1753, the famous economist Adam Smith shifted to the division of academia, for which he is well known, and Reid would take his place as professor of moral philosophy at the Glasgow campus of Aberdeen. He would remain in this position until his retirement at the age of 71.
Retirement did not slow down Reid's dedication and contribution to philosophy topics; on the contrary, it seemed to allow him the time he needed to truly expand upon his ideas. In the years between leaving formal instruction behind him and his death, Reid published more work than he had done in the whole of his life previously.
Thomas Reid died in 1796, and for many years was considered one of the most important philosophers of his age. While his popularity waned for much of the 19th century, the 20th would see a renewal of interest in Reid's philosophy of common sense, one that continues today.
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