Reading Epistemology

Designed for readers who have had little or no exposure to contemporary theory of knowledge, Reading Epistemology brings together twelve important and influential writings on the subject. Presents twelve influential pieces of writing representing two contrasting views on each of six core topics in epistemology. Each chapter contains an introduction to the topic, introductions to the authors, extensive commentaries on the texts, questions for debate and an annotated bibliography. Includes writings from Robert Nozick, Ernest Sosa, Laurence BonJour, and Fred Dretske. Encourages readers to engage with the texts and to think for themselves.

Preface viii Sources and Acknowledgements ix Introduction 1 1 Defining Knowledge 4 Introduction to the Problem 4 Introduction to Pollock 7 John L. Pollock, ‘The Gettier Problem’ 8 Commentary on Pollock 11 Introduction to Nozick 14 Robert Nozick, ‘Conditions for Knowledge’ 15 Commentary on Nozick 21 2 Justification and Truth 27 Introduction to the Problem 27 Introduction to Goldman 30 Alvin I. Goldman, ‘What is Justified Belief ?’ 31 Commentary on Goldman 41 Introduction to Foley 44 Richard Foley, ‘What’s Wrong with Reliabilism?’ 44 Commentary on Foley 53 3 Duties and Virtues 57 Introduction to the Problem 57 Introduction to Steup 60 Matthias Steup, ‘A Defense of Internalism’ 60 Commentary on Steup 75 Introduction to Sosa 80 Ernest Sosa, ‘Reliabilism and Intellectual Virtue’ 80 Commentary on Sosa 89 4 Knowledge by Hearsay 93 Introduction to the Problem 93 Introduction to Fricker 95 Elizabeth Fricker, ‘Against Gullibility’ 95 Commentary on Fricker 107 Introduction to Burge 109 Tyler Burge, ‘Content Preservation’ 110 Commentary on Burge 119 5 Foundations or Coherence? 122 Introduction to the Problem 122 Introduction to Alston 124 William P. Alston, ‘Two Types of Foundationalism’ 125 Commentary on Alston 135 Introduction to BonJour 139 Laurence BonJour, ‘The Coherence Theory of Empirical Knowledge’ 139 Commentary on BonJour 150 6 Scepticism in Context 156 Introduction to the Problem 156 Introduction to Dretske 159 Fred Dretske, ‘The Pragmatic Dimension of Knowledge’ 159 Commentary on Dretske 169 Introduction to Williams 173 Michael Williams, ‘Realism and Scepticism’ 174 Commentary on Williams 182 Essay/Examination Questions 186 Further Reading 188 Index 194