Instinct and Reason, or the First Principles of Human Knowledge (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

George Ramsay

9780365201700: Instinct and Reason, or the First Principles of Human Knowledge (Classic Reprint)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0365201707 ISBN 13: 9780365201700

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

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How we know what we know—and why some knowledge feels certain, while other ideas seem doubtful

This thoughtful study examines knowledge as a human capacity, tracing how we move from inner feelings to understanding the world. It argues that all knowledge begins with self-awareness and that different kinds of knowledge—from instinctive to rational—shape how we think and reason.

The book surveys how we distinguish certainty from probability, original ideas from derived ones, and the quick, often intuitive judgments from careful, deliberate reasoning. It also considers the role of intuition in recognizing design, the presence of God in early intuitive thought, and how organizational systems (like Bentham’s philosophy) impact our view of knowledge, morality, and religion. The discussion stays focused on how thinking works, rather than promising easy answers.

Learn how knowledge starts with consciousness and why self-knowledge matters.
See the distinction between instinctive and rational knowledge, and how each guides belief.
Understand why reasoning can be intuitive and when formal logic is most useful.
Explore historical ideas about science, religion, and philosophy that shape modern thinking.

Ideal for readers curious about epistemology, the nature of understanding, and how we construct meaning from our experiences.

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