Tag Archives: thomas reid

Thomas Reid: A Clean Epistemology

Posted on May 13, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Responding to skeptics, Reid notes that our beliefs are formed by our very constitution (40-41). We cannot always give a justifying foundation for every belief (indeed, for most), yet only a fool would say we are irrational in holding beliefs … Continue reading →

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Review: Plantinga, Warrant and Proper Function

Posted on May 12, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Plantinga begins by examining the Gettier-type problems that internalist accounts of knowledge face. Having shown these difficulties, Plantinga is now able to set the stage for his externalist approach to warrant. This he does by explaining our design function: Any well formed … Continue reading →

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Harassing the Hobgoblins: Intro to Analytic Theology

Posted on April 9, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

I am not an expert in analytic theology, and I have been critical of analytic philosophy in the past.  Nonetheless, it can be useful in clarifying concepts.  One problem is that people jump into the deeper waters, reading countless computer … Continue reading →

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Frame: Theology in the Enlightenment

Posted on December 28, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

In this chapter Frame refocuses his argument and explains why he spends more time on modern, rather than ancient thought. A biblical metaphysic dictates an epistemology and ethic in which divine “revelation is the supreme authority” (Frame 214).  The problem … Continue reading →

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Thomas Reid on Freedom

Posted on November 25, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

William Rowe gives a fantastic discussion on how British philosophers from Locke to Reid dealt with the problems of free agency and determinism. Regardless of whether one is a free will theist or a determinist, Rowe nicely clarifies what each … Continue reading →

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A nonexistent interview I did a while back

Posted on November 11, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

This interview never happened.  It is between me and myself.  On a more serious note, I have noticed that my philosophical readings do not fit into any specific category.  That is good, I suppose, since “joining a school” is not … Continue reading →

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A Reidian Internalist?

Posted on November 4, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

Thomas Reid is seen as the predecessor to Alvin Plantinga.  The latter holds to a “warrant” view of epistemology:  I don’t have to justify endless justifications for foundational beliefs.  Plantinga draws heavily from Reid. Yet here is a thought:  can … Continue reading →

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