Philosophy Workshop: Common Sense & Thomas Reid

Lunch will be catered for the workshop at no additional charge. 

 

Reid’s classic text An Inquiry into the Human Mind: On the Principles of Common Sense (1764) responds to Scottish philosopher David Hume’s skeptical claims about man’s ability to grasp knowledge, and serves as a landmark in the 18th-century discussion of epistemology. In this philosophy workshop, we will discuss the common-sense philosophy of Thomas Reid (1710-1796) in order to develop a nuanced framework for evaluating what knowledge is, how one acquires knowledge, and how one demonstrates knowledge. Space is limited.

Skills Acquired:

In this workshop, students will:

1. Discuss complex epistemological philosophy,

2. evaluate the role of empiricism in learning,

3. develop an understanding of the Great Conversation surrounding knowledge in the philosophical tradition.

Materials:

Each person will need to have a copy of An Inquiry into the Human Mind: On the Principles of Common Sense by Thomas Reid, which should be read in its entirety prior to the workshop. Lunch will be provided. Please note dietary restrictions when you register online.

Registration Cost:

Limited scholarships are available.

About the Instructor:

Dr. Charley Dewberry is a founder, tutor, and Academic Dean at Gutenberg College, as well as an award-winning restoration ecologist. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Science from the University of Oregon. Charley has worked for over forty years on watershed restoration and has received several awards including the 2016 “Restorationist of the Year” given by The Society of Ecological Restoration, Northwest. As part of the Siuslaw Partnership, Charley was awarded the Theiss Riverprize for the best international river restoration project in 2005. As a philosopher, he has written two books: Saving Science: A Critique of Science and its Role in salmon Recovery and Intelligent Discourse: Exposing the Fallacious Standoff between Evolution and Intelligent Design.

Charley and his wife, Susie, have two sons, and live in Florence, Oregon.