论托马斯·里德的知识论

Thomas Reid's Epistemology

托马斯·里德是一度被哲学史所遗忘的一位重要哲学家,其知识论的重新发现是当代知识论的一个重要事件。里德的知识论包含了数个维度:首先,它是一种基础主义,即把知识建立的常识原理之上;其次,它是一种自然主义,积极引入心理学的方法,尤其强调对人类心灵与理智能力的探究对于知识的奠基作用;最后,它包含了一个先验论证,为基础知识或常识原理提供终极辩护。里德的知识论对于当代知识论来说是一个重要的思想来源和理论参考。

Thomas Reid is a very important philosopher who has been forgotten by the history of philosophy, and thus the rediscovery of his epistemology is an important event in contemporary epistemology. Reid＇ s theory of knowledge includes several dimensions： Firstly, it is a foundationalism, which bases knowledge on common sense principles; secondly, it is a kind of naturalism, actively introducing psychological methods, especially emphasizing on inquiry on human mind and intellectual power which functions as a rationale of our knowledge; finally, it contains a transcen- dental argument, which provides the ultimate defense for basic knowledge or common sense principles. Reid＇ s theory of knowledge is an important source for human thoughts and theoretical reference for contemporary epistemology.