Author Description
The problem of skepticism about knowledge of the external world has been the centrepiece of epistemology since Descartes. In the last 25 years, there has been a keen focus of interest on the problem, with a number of new insights by the best contemporary epistemologists and philosophers of mind. Anthony Brueckner is recognized as one of the leading contemporary investigators of the problem of skepticism. Essays on Skepticism collects Brueckner's most important work in this area, providing a connected and comprehensive guide to the complex state of play on this intensively studied area of philosophy. The guiding questions of this volume are: Can we have knowledge of the external world of things outside our minds? Can we have knowledge of the internal world of our own contentful mental states? The work divides into four sections: I. Transcendental Arguments against Skepticism; II. Semantic Answers to Skepticism; III. Self-knowledge; IV. Skepticism and Epistemic Closure.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
Can human beings possess genuine knowledge of the external world and their own internal mental states? Anthony Brueckner, a prominent figure in contemporary epistemology, compiles his significant research to address the enduring problem of skepticism. The volume synthesizes decades of philosophical inquiry to evaluate whether transcendental arguments and semantic frameworks can effectively counter skeptical challenges regarding the nature of reality and self-knowledge.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of transcendental arguments against skepticism
- Examination of semantic approaches to epistemic problems
- Exploration of self-knowledge and mental content
- Discussion on the principle of epistemic closure
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a general introduction to philosophy for laypeople
- It does not cover historical skepticism outside the context of modern analytic epistemology
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this collection as a rigorous contribution to contemporary epistemology, particularly for its focus on the intersection of mind and knowledge. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for advanced students and professional philosophers.
Page Count:
409
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191615102
ISBN-13:
9780191615108
Non-Fiction
Philosophy
Academic
Skepticism
Epistemology
Metaphysics
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