What's the point of knowledge? : a function-first epistemology / Michael Hannon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hannon, Michael (Michael J.), author.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Knowledge, Theory of.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 275 pages)

Other Title:

Function-first epistemology

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, 2019.

Summary:

This work is about knowledge and its value. At the heart of the text is a simple idea: we can answer many interesting and difficult questions in epistemology by reflecting on the role of epistemic evaluation in human life. Hannon calls this 'function-first epistemology.' The core hypothesis is that the concept of knowledge is used to identify reliable informants. This practice is necessary, or at least deeply important, because it plays a vital role in human survival, cooperation, and flourishing. While this idea is quite simple, it has wide-reaching implications. Hannon uses it to cast new light on the nature and value of knowledge, the differences between knowledge and understanding, the relationship between knowledge, assertion, and practical reasoning, and the semantics of knowledge claims.

Contents:

Methodologies in epistemology

The point of knowledge

The value of fallible knowledge

Impure knowledge

Pluralism about knowledge

Epistemic diversity

Epistemic pragmatism

Skepticism and the point of knowledge

What's the point of understanding?

Notes:

Previously issued in print: 2019.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-19-091474-2

0-19-091475-0

0-19-091473-4