Reading Epistemology: Selected Texts with Interactive Commentary

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. Two contrasting views are presented on each of six core topics: the definition of knowledge, the relation between justification and truth, epistemic duties and virtues, testimonial knowledge, foundationalism versus coherentism, and scepticism and contextualism. Among the authors are Nozick, Ernest Sosa, Alvin Goldman, BonJour, Dretske, and Burge.

Each chapter contains an introduction to the topic, introductions to the authors, extensive commentaries on the texts, questions for debate and an annotated bibliography. The introductions and commentaries outline the philosophical train of thought, provide background information, and locate particular positions and arguments within the field. The interactive nature of the commentaries encourages readers to engage with the texts and to think for themselves.

Preface.

Sources and Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

1. Defining Knowledge.

Introduction to the Problem.

Introduction to Pollock.

The Gettier Problem: John L. Pollock.

Commentary on Pollock.

Introduction to Nozick.

Conditions for Knowledge: Robert Nozick.

Commentary on Nozick.

2. Justification and Truth.

Introduction to the Problem.

Introduction to Goldman.

What is Justified Belief?: Alvin I. Goldman.

Commentary on Goldman.

Introduction to Foley.

What s Wrong with Reliabilism?: Richard Foley.

Commentary on Foley.

3. Duties and Virtues.

Introduction to the Problem.

Introduction to Steup.

A Defense of Internalism: Matthias Steup.

Commentary on Steup.

Introduction to Sosa.

Reliabilism and Intellectual Virtue: Ernest Sosa.

Commentary on Sosa.

4. Knowledge by Hearsay.

Introduction to the Problem.

Introduction to Fricker.

Against Gullibility: Elizabeth Fricker.

Commentary on Fricker.

Introduction to Burge.

Content Preservation: Tyler Burge.

Commentary on Burge.

5. Foundations or Coherence?.

Introduction to the Problem.

Introduction to Alston.

Two Types of Foundationalism: William P. Alston.

Commentary on Alston.

Introduction to BonJour.

The Coherence Theory of Empirical Knowledge: Laurence BonJour.

Commentary on BonJour.

6. Scepticism in Context.

Introduction to the Problem.

Introduction to Dretske.

The Pragmatic Dimension of Knowledge: Fred Dretske.

Commentary to Dretske.

Introduction to Williams.

Realism and Scepticism: Michael Williams.

Commentary to Williams.

Essay/Examination Questions.

Further Reading.

Index

Sven Bernecker is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Manchester and Privatdozent for Philosophy at the University of Munich. He has written on epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy of mind and is co–editor with Fred Dretske of Knowledge: Readings in Contemporary Epistemology (2000).

"Sven Bernecker′s book is an excellent one for students. The 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