Skepticism and Idealism

Abstract This chapter examines Shepherd’s responses to the skeptical challenges posed by phenomena such as dreams and insanity. Shepherd aims to show that one need not take such skeptical scenarios seriously, although she also concedes that her arguments fall short of establishing their conclusions with deductive certainty. The chapter also considers her objections to Berkeley’s appeal to dreaming in support of his idealism, as well as her objections to Reid on account of his failure to consider dreaming. Since Shepherd was especially concerned to distinguish her view from the idealism and immaterialism advanced by Berkeley, this chapter also surveys her various other objections to Berkeley.