Some “common sense” about Campbell, Hume, and Reid: The extrinsic evidence

This essay examines extrinsic evidence, mainly historical, biographical, and epistolary, to demonstrate that George Campbell's friends and colleagues considered him a member of their Common Sense School of Philosophy, and, hence, an opponent of Hume. It also argues that Campbell was motivated to write on philosophical topics in response to the attacks on religion and the foundations of human knowledge in the works of Hume. Finally, it maintains that Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric was popular in nineteenth century America because it was in harmony with Thomas Reid's psychology and philosophy.