Steward, Dugald

STEWARD, DUGALD. - English philosopher, b. 22 Nov. 1752 in Edinburgh, d. there 11 June 1828. He taught at the Universities of his native city and of Glasgow.

S. enjoyed in his time a fame and influence superior to the mediocrity of his thought. A follower of Reid (v.), he may be considered the principal representative of the Scottish school (v.). In his most important works (Elements of the philosophy of human mind, 3 vols., Edinburgh 1792-1827; Outlines of the moral philosophy, ibid. 1793; Philosophical essays, ibid. 1810; Dissertations on the progress of metaph., etc., 2 vols., ibid. 1815-22; Philosophy of the active and moral powers of man, 2 vols., 1828) he expounds what may be called his doctrine of the «fundamental laws of belief», according to which there are innate in us primitive and elementary laws, which make us believe, with irresistible persuasion, in the existence of the external world (of things perceived) and of ourselves (of sentient and thinking subjects), in the uniformity of the laws of nature, in the continuity of our personal identity, etc.