Reading Epistemology
Selected Texts with Interactive Commentary
Reading Philosophy
1. Auflage Dezember 2005
210 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Designed for readers who have had little or no exposure to contemporary theory of knowledge, Reading Epistemology brings together twelve important and influential writings on the subject.
* Presents twelve influential pieces of writing representing two contrasting views on each of six core topics in epistemology.
* Each chapter contains an introduction to the topic, introductions to the authors, extensive commentaries on the texts, questions for debate and an annotated bibliography.
* Includes writings from Robert Nozick, Ernest Sosa, Laurence BonJour, and Fred Dretske.
* Encourages readers to engage with the texts and to think for themselves.
Sources and Acknowledgements ix
Introduction 1
1 Defining Knowledge 4
Introduction to the Problem 4
Introduction to Pollock 7
John L. Pollock, 'The Gettier Problem' 8
Commentary on Pollock 11
Introduction to Nozick 14
Robert Nozick, 'Conditions for Knowledge' 15
Commentary on Nozick 21
2 Justification and Truth 27
Introduction to the Problem 27
Introduction to Goldman 30
Alvin I. Goldman, 'What is Justified Belief ?' 31
Commentary on Goldman 41
Introduction to Foley 44
Richard Foley, 'What's Wrong with Reliabilism?' 44
Commentary on Foley 53
3 Duties and Virtues 57
Introduction to the Problem 57
Introduction to Steup 60
Matthias Steup, 'A Defense of Internalism' 60
Commentary on Steup 75
Introduction to Sosa 80
Ernest Sosa, 'Reliabilism and Intellectual Virtue' 80
Commentary on Sosa 89
4 Knowledge by Hearsay 93
Introduction to the Problem 93
Introduction to Fricker 95
Elizabeth Fricker, 'Against Gullibility' 95
Commentary on Fricker 107
Introduction to Burge 109
Tyler Burge, 'Content Preservation' 110
Commentary on Burge 119
5 Foundations or Coherence? 122
Introduction to the Problem 122
Introduction to Alston 124
William P. Alston, 'Two Types of Foundationalism' 125
Commentary on Alston 135
Introduction to BonJour 139
Laurence BonJour, 'The Coherence Theory of Empirical
Knowledge' 139
Commentary on BonJour 150
6 Scepticism in Context 156
Introduction to the Problem 156
Introduction to Dretske 159
Fred Dretske, 'The Pragmatic Dimension of Knowledge' 159
Commentary on Dretske 169
Introduction to Williams 173
Michael Williams, 'Realism and Scepticism' 174
Commentary on Williams 182
Essay/Examination Questions 186
Further Reading 188
Index 194
selected passages are very well chosen, and the commentaries are
explanatory, acute, interesting and well informed. By not being
over detailed or dogmatic, they will serve to stimulate critical
thought, which is very much the book's aim." Paul Snowdon,
University College London
"Bernecker goes beyond the traditional anthology by combining
well-chosen primary sources with carefully constructed commentary
on each source ... which not only help the reader make sense of
complex arguments and theses, but which also place the primary
sources in the context of the debates and controversies from which
they arise. Anyone who teaches epistemology will want to take a
close look at this text." Saul Traiger, Occidental
College
