The Nature and Value of Knowledge. Three Investigations.

This volume comprises three distinct investigations into the relationship between the nature and the value of knowledge. Each is written by one of the authors in consultation with the other two. 'Knowledge and Understanding' (by Duncan Pritchard) critically examines virtue-theoretic responses to the problem of the value of knowledge, and argues that the finally valuable cognitive state is not knowledge but understanding. 'Knowledge and Recognition' (by Alan Millar) develops an account of knowledge in which the idea of a recognitional ability plays a prominent role, and argues that this account enables us better to understand knowledge and its value. 'Knowledge and Action' (by Adrian Haddock) argues for an account of knowledge and justification which explains why knowledge is valuable, and enables us to make sense of the knowledge we have of our intentional actions.

Duncan Pritchard is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. His work is mainly in the area of epistemology, in which he has published widely. His books include Epistemic Luck, What is this Thing Called Knowledge?, and Knowledge.

Alan Millar has taught philosophy for many years, and is now a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Stirling. He is the author of Reasons and Experience (Oxford University Press, 1991), Understanding People: Normativity and Rationalizing Explanation (Oxford University Press, 2004), and articles mainly in the philosophy of mind and the theory of knowledge.

Adrian Haddock is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Stirling. He has published essays on action, knowledge, and idealism.