Epistemic angst : radical skepticism and the groundlessness of our believing / Duncan Pritchard.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pritchard, Duncan, author.

Series:

Soochow University Lectures in Philosophy.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Belief and doubt.

Knowledge, Theory of.

Skepticism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 239 pages.)

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, 2016.

Summary:

This book offers a completely new solution to the ancient philosophical problem of radical skepticism—the challenge of explaining how it is possible to have knowledge of a world external to us. The book argues that the key to resolving this puzzle is to realize that it is composed of two logically distinct problems, each requiring its own solution. The book then puts forward solutions to both problems. To that end, the book offers a new reading of Wittgenstein's account of the structure of rational evaluation and demonstrates how this provides an elegant solution to one aspect of the skeptical problem. The book also revisits the epistemological disjunctivist proposal and shows how it can effectively handle the other aspect of the problem. Finally, the book argues that these two anti-skeptical positions, while superficially in tension with each other, are not only compatible but also mutually supporting. The result is a comprehensive and distinctive resolution to the problem of radical skepticism, one that challenges many assumptions in contemporary epistemology.-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1. Epistemic Angst

Chapter 1. Radical Skepticism and Closure

Chapter 2. Radical Skepticism and Underdetermination

Part 2. Wittgenstein and the Groundlessness of Our Believing

Chapter 3. Wittgenstein on the Structure of Rational Evaluation

Chapter 4. Hinge Commitments

Part 3. Epistemological Disjunctivism

Chapter 5. Epistemological Disjunctivism and the Factivity of Reasons

Chapter 6. Epistemological Disjunctivism and Closure-Based Radical Skepticism

Part 4. Farewell to Epistemic Angst

Chapter 7. Farewell to Epistemic Angst

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Pilot project,eBook available to selected US libraries only

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-236) and index.

ISBN:

9781400873913 (electronic book)

OCLC:

929856490