Well written, tightly argued and provocative, this superb book represents the best in current work in epistemology.

Peter Markie, Philosophical Quarterly

Virtually all philosophers agree that for a belief to be epistemically justified, it must satisfy certain conditions. Perhaps it must be supported by evidence. Or perhaps it must be reliably formed. Or perhaps there are some other 'good-making' features it must have. But does a belief's justification also require some sort of awareness of its good-making features? The answer to this question has been hotly contested in contemporary epistemology, creating a deep divide among its practitioners. Internalists insist that such awareness is required for justification whereas externalists insist that it isn't. The first part of Michael Bergmann's book argues that internalism faces an inescapable dilemma: either it leads to vicious regress problems and, ultimately, radical skepticism, or it is entirely unmotivated. The second part of the book begins by developing the author's own externalist theory of justification, one imposing both a proper function and a no-defeater requirement. Bergmann concludes by demonstrating the failure of two prominent critiques of externalism, namely, that it is infected with epistemic circularity and that it cannot respond adequately to skepticism. Together, the two parts of the book provide a decisive refutation of internalism and a sustained defense of externalism. Moreover, they do so while placing a high priority on making the author's opponents feel that their positions and objections are understood.
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For a belief to be justified, must the believer have some sort of awareness of the features that make it a good belief? Internalists insist such awareness is required. Michael Bergmann argues that internalism faces an inescapable dilemma, and develops his own externalist theory of justification.
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I. AGAINST INTERNALISM; II. DEFENDING EXTERNALISM
Well written, tightly argued and provocative, this superb book represents the best in current work in epistemology.
A clear, definitive argument against all versions of internalism Full acknowledgement and discussion of rival views Essential reading for epistemologists
Michael Bergmann is Professor of Philosophy at Purdue University
A clear, definitive argument against all versions of internalism Full acknowledgement and discussion of rival views Essential reading for epistemologists

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780199562428
Publisert
2009
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
424 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Dybde
16 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
266

Forfatter

Biographical note

Michael Bergmann is Professor of Philosophy at Purdue University