In "Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense," Thomas Reid presents a compelling examination of the human mind and the principles that govern our common sense. Reid's work is a pioneering piece of philosophy that challenges the prevailing ideas of his time and provides a fresh perspective on how we can come to understand our own minds.

Throughout the book, Reid carefully dissects the workings of the human mind, arguing for the importance of our natural inclinations and instincts in shaping our understanding of the world. He emphasizes the role of common sense in guiding our thoughts and actions, asserting that it is through a clear and rational examination of our own beliefs that we can come to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

One of the strengths of Reid's work is his clear and logical presentation of his ideas. He avoids unnecessary jargon and technical language, making his arguments accessible to a wide range of readers. Additionally, his use of examples and anecdotes helps to illustrate his points, making his ideas easier to grasp and apply to everyday life.

Overall, "Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense" is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the human mind and the principles that govern our common sense. Reid's work is a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy and is sure to spark debate and discussion among readers.

Book Description:

"That excellent book by Thomas Reid, the Inquiry into the Human Mind (first edition, 1764; 6th edition, 1810), as a negative proof of the Kantian truths, affords us a very thorough conviction of the inadequacy of the senses to produce the objective perception of things, and also of the non-empirical origin of the perception of space and time. Reid refutes Locke's doctrine that perception is a product of the senses, by a thorough and acute demonstration that the collective sensations of the senses do not bear the least resemblance to the world as known in perception, and especially that the five primary qualities of Locke (extension, form, solidity, movement, and number) absolutely could not be afforded us by any sensation of the senses. Accordingly he gives up the question as to the mode of origination and the source of perception as completely insoluble; and although altogether unacquainted with Kant, he gives us, as it were, according to the regula falsi, a thorough proof of the intellectual nature of perception (really first explained by me as a consequence of the Kantian doctrine), and also of the a priori source, discovered by Kant, of its constituent elements, space, time, and causality, from which those primary qualities of Locke first proceed, but by means of which they are easily constructed. Thomas Reid's book is very instructive and well worth reading—ten times more so than all the philosophy together that has been written since Kant." (Arthur Schopenhauer. The World as Will and Representation. Trans. R. B. Haldane, M.A. and J. Kemp, M.A. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. 1909 Vol II, Ch. 2. pg. 187)