Knowledge in an Uncertain World

Fantl, Jeremy

ISBN 10: 019955062X / ISBN 13: 9780199550623

Published by OUP Oxford, 2009

About this Item

Fantl and McGrath explore the relation between knowledge, reasons, and justification. They argue that you can rely on what you know in action and belief, since what you know can be a reason you have and you can rely on your reasons. But the assumption that knowledge allows for a chance of error makes this a controversial position in epistemology. Num Pages: 262 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: CFA; GPQ; HPK; HPM. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 242 x 166 x 22. Weight in Grams: 570. . 2009. hardcover. . . . .

Seller Inventory # V9780199550623

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Knowledge in an Uncertain World
• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 019955062X
• ISBN 13: 9780199550623
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Knowledge in an Uncertain World is an exploration of the relation between knowledge, reasons, and justification. According to the primary argument of the book, you can rely on what you know in action and belief, because what you know can be a reason you have and you can rely on the reasons you have. If knowledge doesn't allow for a chance of error, then this result is unsurprising. But if knowledge does allow for a chance of error - as seems required if we know much of anything at all - this result entails the denial of a received position in epistemology. Because any chance of error, if the stakes are high enough, can make a difference to what can be relied on, two subjects with the same evidence and generally the same strength of epistemic position for a proposition can differ with respect to whether they are in a position to know.
In defending these points, Fantl and McGrath investigate the ramifications for debates about epistemological externalism and contextualism, the value and importance of knowledge, Wittgensteinian hinge propositions, Bayesianism, and the nature of belief. The book is essential reading for epistemologists, philosophers who work on reasons and rationality, philosophers of language and mind, and decision theorists.

About the Author

Jeremy Fantl received his Ph.D. from Brown University in 2000 and is an Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Calgary.

Matthew McGrath received his Ph.D. from Brown University in 1998 and is currently Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Missouri.