Knowledge (Volume 3) (Central Problems of Philosophy)

What is it about knowledge that makes us value it more highly than mere true belief? This question lies at the heart of epistemology and has challenged philosophers ever since it was first posed by Plato. By examining the historical and contemporary answers, Michael Welbourne provides an excellent introduction to the theory of knowledge and offers a fascinating proposal for a new theory based on the neglected concept of testimony.

Knowledge gives a clear and accessible overview of the main themes and questions that have provided the context for modern discussions, beginning with Plato and Cartesian individualism. Welbourne examines the various contemporary, tripartite analyses of knowledge in terms of belief, truth, and some form of justification and shows that they fail to adequately capture the idea of knowledge. He argues for a wider view of philosophy of knowledge that includes examination of the surrounding social practices, placing particular emphasis on the notion of testimony. Welbourne argues that knowledge is an essentially a public phenomenon rooted in our communicative practices and shows that thinking about how testimony works as a source of beliefs actually gives us a handle on the idea of knowledge itself.

The book will be essential reading for anyone interested in epistemology, the philosophy of language, or the intersection between the two.