Since the beginning of philosophy, philosophers have sought objective
knowledge: knowledge of things whose existence does not depend on
one's conceiving of them. This book uses lessons from debates over
objective knowledge to characterize the kinds of reasons pertinent to
philosophical and other theoretical views. It argues that we cannot
meet skeptics' typical demands for nonquestion-begging support for
claims to objective truth, and that therefore we should not regard our
supporting reasons as resistant to skeptical challenges. One key
lesson is that a constructive, explanatory approach to philosophy must
change the subject from skeptic-resistant reasons to perspectival
reasons arising from variable semantic commitments and instrumental,
purpose-relative considerations. The book lays foundations for such a
reorientation of philosophy, treating fundamental methodological
issues in ontology, epistemology, the theory of meaning, the
philosophy of mind, and the theory of practical rationality. It
explains how certain perennial debates in philosophy rest not on
genuine disagreement, but on conceptual diversity: talk about
different matters. The book shows how acknowledgment of conceptual
diversity can resolve a range of traditional disputes in philosophy.
It also explains why philosophers need not anchor their discipline in
the physicalism of the natural sciences.
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Making Sense in Perspective
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780195351354
Publisert
2020
Utgiver
Oxford University Press Academic US
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter