Scepticism and Animal Faith

Scepticism and Animal Faith is a major philosophical work by George Santayana, first published in 1923. In this influential text, Santayana critiques traditional epistemology and argues that human knowledge is ultimately grounded in instinctive belief rather than rational certainty. He challenges both radical scepticism and the assumption that reason alone can provide a secure foundation for knowledge.

Santayana introduces the concept of "animal faith," the idea that humans rely on basic, instinctive assumptions about reality in order to function, even though these assumptions cannot be logically justified with absolute certainty. He contends that perception, memory, and scientific reasoning all depend on this natural trust in experience. While he acknowledges the value of scepticism, he ultimately sees it as a methodological tool rather than a viable way of life.

Blending pragmatism, realism, and a poetic writing style, Scepticism and Animal Faith remains a thought-provoking exploration of the limits of knowledge and the role of belief in human existence. It serves as a prelude to Santayana’s later work, Realms of Being, and continues to be studied for its unique perspective on epistemology and metaphysics.

Product Details:

• ISBN: 1604448628
• EAN: 9781604448627
• Publisher: Indoeuropeanpublishing.com
• Binding: Paperback
• Pub Date: June 04, 2018
• Physical Info: 1.07 cms H x 22.86 cms L x 15.24 cms W (0.28 kgs), 184 pages