Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid published An Inquiry into the Human Mind in 1764, founding the Common Sense school of philosophy. Reid rejected David Hume's skepticism, arguing that human perception directly grasps the external world, thus restoring confidence in human cognition. His work laid the groundwork for modern philosophy and influenced subsequent thinkers in their exploration of perception and knowledge.

Thomas Reid's 1764 publication of 'An Inquiry into the Human Mind' defended ordinary experience and direct realism, influencing the grounded observational style of later 18th-century poetry. His emphasis on perception and reality resonated with poets like William Wordsworth, who sought to capture the essence of human experience in their work.