Scepticism and Reasonable Doubt: British Naturalist Tradition in Wilkins, Hume, Reid and Newman - Hardcover

"This is philosophical exegesis and interpretation at its best."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion "Outstanding....This book shows commanding historical scholarship, sophistication in recent epistemology, and brilliant interpretive insight....It should interest both epistemologists and historians of philosophy."--The Philosophical Review "The author traces several subtle but important variations in the naturalist response to skepticism. The result is a book rich in historical detail, stimulating in its fresh interpretation of major thinkers, and unified by a broad philosophical conception. Recommended."--Choice "This is philosophical exegesis and interpretation at its best."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion "Outstanding....This book shows commanding historical scholarship, sophistication in recent epistemology, and brilliant interpretive insight....It should interest both epistemologists and historians of philosophy."--The Philosophical Review "The author traces several subtle but important variations in the naturalist response to skepticism. The result is a book rich in historical detail, stimulating in its fresh interpretation of major thinkers, and unified by a broad philosophical conception. Recommended."--Choice "This is philosophical exegesis and interpretation at its best."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion "Outstanding....This book shows commanding historical scholarship, sophistication in recent epistemology, and brilliant interpretive insight....It should interest both epistemologists and historians of philosophy."--The Philosophical Review "The author traces several subtle but important variations in the naturalist response to skepticism. The result is a book rich in historical detail, stimulating in its fresh interpretation of major thinkers, and unified by a broad philosophical conception. Recommended."--Choice "This is philosophical exegesis and interpretation at its best."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion "Outstanding....This book shows commanding historical scholarship, sophistication in recent epistemology, and brilliant interpretive insight....It should interest both epistemologists and historians of philosophy."--The Philosophical Review "The author traces several subtle but important variations in the naturalist response to skepticism. The result is a book rich in historical detail, stimulating in its fresh interpretation of major thinkers, and unified by a broad philosophical conception. Recommended."--Choice

Charting the development of the British tradition of naturalism from the 17th to the 19th century, this book provides fascinating insight into a wide range of thinkers, both Catholic and Protestant, who explored the themes of proof, practice, and the role of common sense. Reappraising what these thinkers can teach us about the relations between belief, action, and skepticism, Ferreira contributes to the philosophical study of naturalist replies to skepticism, as well as to a deeper appreciation of this particular segment of British intellectual history.