Skepticism
The Central Issues
1. Auflage März 2002
224 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
This book presents and analyzes the most important arguments in the history of Western philosophy's skeptical tradition. It demonstrates that, although powerful, these arguments are quite limited and fail to prove their core assertion that knowledge is beyond our reach.
* Argues that skepticism is mistaken and that knowledge is possible
* Dissects the problems of realism and the philosophical doubts about the accuracy of the senses
* Explores the ancient argument against a criterion of knowledge, Descartes' skeptical arguments, and skeptical arguments applied to inductive inference and self-knowledge
* Uses Moore's proof of an external world and the reliabilist conception of knowledge to illustrate that the traditional skeptical arguments fail to meet their mark.
1. Skepticism and the Retreat from Realism.
2. The Great Deception of Sense.
3. Justification, Truth, and Realism.
4. Global Skepticism, Pyrrhonism, and the Criterion
Argument.
5. The Argument Against the Criterion.
6. Two Pyrrhonian Problems.
7. Descartes' Dream Argument.
8. Skepticism and Common Sense.
9. Moore's Proof of an External World.
10. Defending Moore's Proof.
11. The Problem of the Shaky Inference.
12. Inference and Interpretation.
13. Hume's Riddle of Induction.
14. Descartes' Cogito and the Problem of Self Knowledge.
15. The Problem of Knowledge.
Bibliography.
Index.
important sceptical themes and issues. The clarity and economy of
the writing is outstanding. Another virtue of the book is
Landesman's easy command of a range of historical authors and
positions... These features, along with welcome breadth of
coverage, make the book an excellent choice for an introductory
course in philosophy or epistemology" Mind
"A splendidly insightful and original examination of skepticism
from the ancient skeptics through Descartes and Hume to Moore and
Quine, closely argued, but in a clear and accessible manner, so
that both layman and professional should enjoy and profit from this
work. The best book I have read on skepticism." Louis Pojman,
United States Military Academy
"Skepticism is the central issue in epistemology, but often it
is discussed superficially as just a seminar-room puzzle. Landesman
has the philosophical depth and solid historical grasp needed for a
proper treatment of it." Panayot Butchvarov, University of
Iowa
"Landesman has written a well-reasoned book that reveals both
the power of the arguments for skepticism and the limitations of
that position. At its core is an extended discussion of skepticism
regarding the senses and the problem of the external world. This
terrific book should be in all libraries supporting programs in
philosophy." Choice
"This is an excellent introduction to an important topic. Its
style makes it accessible to those unfamiliar with the subject,
while its content should interest expert and novice alike."
Practical Philosophy
