An Introduction to the Theory of KnowledgePolity, 2006 M12 4 - 212 pages An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge guides the reader through the key issues and debates in contemporary epistemology. Lucid, comprehensive and accessible, it is an ideal textbook for students who are new to the subject and for university undergraduates. The book is divided into five parts. Part I discusses the concept of knowledge and distinguishes between different types of knowledge. Part II surveys the sources of knowledge, considering both a priori and a posteriori knowledge. Parts III and IV provide an in-depth discussion of justification and scepticism. The final part of the book examines our alleged knowledge of the past, other minds, morality and God. O'Brien uses engaging examples throughout the book, taking many from literature and the cinema. He explains complex issues, such as those concerning the private language argument, non-conceptual content, and the new riddle of induction, in a clear and accessible way. This textbook is an invaluable guide to contemporary epistemology. |
Contents
The Theory of Knowledge | 3 |
What is Knowledge? | 10 |
A Priori Knowledge | 25 |
Perception | 36 |
Testimony | 50 |
Foundationalism | 61 |
Coherentism | 77 |
Internalism and Externalism | 87 |
Naturalized Epistemology | 127 |
Memory | 141 |
Other Minds | 152 |
Moral Knowledge | 163 |
God | 177 |
Glossary | 190 |
| 194 | |
| 204 | |
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Common terms and phrases
able accept According acquire actions actually approach argues argument aware basic behaviour belief system brain called Cartesian causal caused certain chapter claim clear cognitive coherent coherentist colour concepts concerning conclusion consider consists correct Descartes describe different discussed distinct empirical epistemic epistemology ethical evidence example existence explanation external externalist fact false film first foundationalist further give given green human Hume important inductive inference involves justification kind knowledge latter look meaning memory mental mind moral nature notion objects observe particular past perceive perceptual experience perhaps philosophy picture play possess possibility priori problem properties question reason relations reliable remember reports respect response role scenario scepticism scientific seen sense simply suggested testimony theory things thinker thoughts tion traditional true belief truth turn understand various wrong
References to this book
The Social Science Jargon Buster: The Key Terms You Need to Know Zina O'Leary Limited preview - 2007 |