Single Idea 6492

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / E. Direct Knowledge / 1. Common Sense]

Full Idea

Reid is often represented by modern opponents of the empiricists as the outstanding protagonist of direct or naïve realism and common sense in the eighteenth century.

Gist of Idea

Reid is seen as the main direct realist of the eighteenth century

Source

report of Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 2: Senses [1785]) by Howard Robinson - Perception 1.6

Book Reference

Robinson,Howard: 'Perception' [Routledge 2001], p.19


A Reaction

Robinson does not deny that this is Reid's view. Keith Lehrer is a great fan of Reid. Personally I think direct realism is quite clearly false, so I find myself losing interest in Reid's so-called 'common sense'.