Self-knowledge / Brie Gertler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gertler, Brie.

Series:

New problems of philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Self-knowledge, Theory of.

Physical Description:

viii, 315 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2011.

Summary:

How do you know your own thoughts and feelings? Do we have "privileged access" to our own minds? Does introspection provide a grasp of a thinking self or "I?"

The problem of self-knowledge has crucial significance for the philosophy of mind and epistemology. In this outstanding introduction Brie Gertler assesses the leading theoretical approaches to self-knowledge, explaining the work of many of the key figures in the field: from Descartes and Kant, through to Bertrand Russell, as well as recent work by Tyler Surge, David Chalmers, and Sydney Shoemaker.

Beginning with an outline of the distinction between self-knowledge and self-awareness and providing essential historical background to the problem, Gertler addresses theories of self-knowledge such as the acquaintance theory, the inner sense theory, and the rationalist theory, as well as leading accounts of self-awareness. The book concludes with a critical explication of the dispute between empiricist and rationalist approaches. Including helpful chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary, Self-Knowledge is essential reading for those interested in philosophy of mind, epistemology, and personal identity. Book jacket.

Contents:

Historical background

The nature and scope of (purportedly) special self-knowledge

The acquaintance theory of self-knowledge

The inner sense theory of self-knowledge

The rationalist theory of self-knowledge

Awareness of the self

The dispute between empiricism and rationalism : a diagnosis.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780415405256

0415405254

9780415405263

0415405262

9780203835678

0203835670

OCLC:

255903351