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Scepticism and animal faith

By George Santayana
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About This Book

The author presents a restrained philosophical approach that accepts everyday convictions as the proper basis for belief, arguing that radical skepticism cannot be lived and that instinctive, practical trust — animal faith — underpins knowledge and action. He critiques metaphysical systems that conflate different orders of reality, distinguishes various realms of being, and defends a naturalistic materialism for inquiries into the physical world while reserving logic and aesthetics for immaterial matters. The work combines conceptual clarification, literary reflection, and a defense of common sense as a temperate method for philosophic thought.

About the Author

Santayana, George portrait

George Santayana

George Santayana was a Spanish-American philosopher, poet, and novelist, known for his contributions to aesthetics and philosophy. Born in 1863, he spent much of his life in the United States, where he became a prominent figure in the intellectual landscape. His notable works include "The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress," which explores the interplay between human thought and cultural development. Santayana's writings often reflect a deep skepticism and a unique blend of philosophical inquiry with poetic expression, making him a significant voice in modern philosophy. His exploration of beauty and truth continues to resonate in contemporary discussions of art and philosophy.

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