Thomas Reid and the Story of Epistemology (Modern European Philosophy) [Paperback]

Nicholas Wolterstorff (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521539307 | ISBN-13: 978-0521539302 | Publication Date: January 12, 2004

Nicholas Wolterstorff's comparative analysis of Thomas Reid's epistemology relates Reid's philosophy to present-day epistemological discussions. This timely and relevant volume will be of great interest to historians of philosophy as well as philosophers concerned with epistemology and the philosophy of mind. Hb ISBN (2000): 0-521-79013-1

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wolterstorff strikes the right balance between precision and fidelity to Reid's text, and a briskly-paced treatment that enables the reader to keep the main lines of Reid's thought in mind without having to be constantly reminded of them. This, along with the book's manageable size and eminent readability, should assure the book a wide audience, including a substantial "crossover" group between history, epistemology, and history of philosophy." Stephen Darwall, University of Michigan

Book Description

This important book will do much to reestablish the significance of Thomas Reid for philosophy today. Nicholas Wolterstorff has produced the first systematic account of Reid's epistemology. Relating Reid's philosophy to present-day epistemological discussions the author demonstrates how they are at once remarkably timely, relevant, and provocative.There is no competing book that both uncovers the deep pattern of Reid's thought and relates it to contemporary philosophical debate. It must be read by historians of philosophy as well as all philosophers concerned with epistemology and the philosophy of mind.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521539307
• ISBN-13: 978-0521539302
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable introduction to the philosophy of Thomas Reid, December 7, 2002

By 

Gregory Fowler (Akron, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thomas Reid and the Story of Epistemology (Modern European Philosophy) (Hardcover)

This book successfully presents the importance of the work of Thomas Reid to those who are familiar with the Western philosophical tradition, or, as Reid likes to call it, the Way of Ideas. In particular, the explanations of Reid's arguments against the philosophical theses of the British empiricists (Locke, Hume and Berkeley) is particularly well-done, and are helpful in revealing assumptions of their outlooks. See especially the sections on indirect vs. direct perception and the chapter "Reid's Way with the Skeptic."
The only warning that I would issue concerning this book is that the section on the doctrine of common sense may be difficult for those with little background in the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein, especially his "On Certainty," since Wolterstorff explains Reid's doctrine by way of Wittgenstein. However, he does a fairly good job of explaining both, so that this characteristic ought not to be a stumbling block for the sufficiently patient reader.