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.

Philosophy after Objectivity: Making Sense in Perspective

Politics & Social Sciences

Moser, Paul K.

Philosophy

Oxford University Press

Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches

Now updated to incorporate more selections from modern philosophers and a more thorough, organized treatment of contemporary epistemology, this collection of readings deftly blends the foremost classical sources with important contemporary philosophical thinkers to present a far-reaching examination of the theory of knowledge. Formative voices of epistemology from ancient Greek philosophy, medieval philosophy, classical modern philosophy, pragmatism, and contemporary analytic philosophy are amply represented. Organized chronologically and thematically, Human Knowledge presents an impressive collection of essays from Plato, Aristotle, Sextus Empiricus, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, James, Russell, Wittgenstein, Carnap, Quine, Gettier, Kripke, and many others. With section overviews by the editors, including a substantial general introduction, and helpful, up-to-date bibliographies, this definitive work offers the ideal introduction to our ancient struggle with the shape of our own intellectual experience.

vander Nat, Arnold

A collection of readings on the theory of knowledge, representing the most influential classical and contemporary philosophical approaches. Given the diversity of its selections, the book can be adapted to various philosophical perspectives. It is suitable as a main textbook for academic courses, undergraduate or graduate, that deal with the major philosophical approaches to human knowledge. The second edition has a revised general introduction, revised section introductions, updated bibliographies and more selections from classical modern philosophers and on contemporary epistemology.

The Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction (American History)

Written in an engaging and accessible style, The Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction explains the main ideas and problems of contemporary epistemology, the philosophical study of knowledge. Comprehensive and rich in illustrations and examples, it deals with major topics while avoiding technical detail. It introduces traditional topics in epistemology within the context of contemporary debates about the definition, sources, and limits of human knowledge. It also relates epistemology to work in cognitive science and defends a plausible version of explanationism regarding epistemological method. A glossary of important epistemological terms and suggestions for further reading enhance the volume.

The Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction

Mulder, Dwayne H.

TROUT, J.D.

The Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction explains the main ideas and problems of contemporary epistemology while avoiding technical detail. Comprehensive and rich in illustrations and examples, it highlights contemporary debates over the definition, sources, and limits of human knowledge, and covers major topics including the nature of belief, theories of truth, epistemic justification, the Gettier problem, skepticism, and epistemic rationality. Its discussions identify important connections between traditional epistemological questions and cognitive science, the history of science, the sociology of knowledge, and cross-cultural studies. The book culminates with a focus on questions regarding epistemological method and an examination of the roots of contemporary analytic approaches to epistemology. The authors defend a distinctive position regarding epistemological method, called broad explanationism, that incorporates some insights from naturalism in epistemology. The volume is enhanced by a glossary of important epistemological terms and suggestions for further reading. Easily accessible to beginning students in philosophy, The Theory of Knowledge serves as an ideal text for courses in the theory of knowledge and will also appeal to general readers interested in philosophy.

Contemporary Materialism: A Reader

Contemporary Materialism brings together the best recent work on materialism from many of our leading contemporary philosophers. This is the first comprehensive reader on the subject. The majority of philosophers and scientists today hold the view that all phenomena are physical, as a result materialism or 'physicalism' is now the dominant ontology in a wide range of fields. Surprisingly no single book, until now, has collected the key investigations into materialism, to reflect the impact it has had on current thinking in metaphysics, philosophy of mind and the theory of value. The classic papers in this collection chart contemporary problems, positions and themes in materialism. At the invitation of the editors, many of the papers have been specially up-dated for this collection: follow-on pieces written by the contributors enable them to appraise the original paper and assess developments since the work was first published. The book's selections are largely non-technical and accessible to advanced undergraduates. The editors have provided a useful general introduction, outlining and contextualising this central system of thought, as well as a topical bibliography. Contemporary Materialism will be vital reading for anyone concerned to discover the ideas underlying contemporary philosophy. David Armstrong, University of Sydney; Jerry Fodor, Rutgers University, New Jersey; Tim Crane, University College, London; D. H. Mellor, Univeristy of Cambridge; J.J.C.

History

Routledge

Three questions motivate this book's account of evidence for the existence of God. First, if God's existence is hidden, why suppose He exists at all? Second, if God exists, why is He hidden, particularly if God seeks to communicate with people? Third, what are the implications of divine hiddenness for philosophy, theology, and religion's supposed knowledge of God? This book answers these questions on the basis of a new account of evidence and knowledge of divine reality that challenges skepticism about God's existence.  The central thesis is that we should expect evidence of divine reality to be purposively available to humans, that is, available only in a manner suitable to divine purposes in self-revelation. This lesson generates a seismic shift in our understanding of evidence and knowledge of divine reality. The result is a needed reorienting of religious epistemology to accommodate the character and purposes of an authoritative, perfectly loving God.

The Elusive God: Reorienting Religious Epistemology

Religion & Spirituality

Religious Studies

Cambridge University Press

Three questions motivate this book's account of evidence for the existence of God. First, if God's existence is hidden, why suppose He exists at all? Second, if God exists, why is He hidden, particularly if God seeks to communicate with people? Third, what are the implications of divine hiddenness for philosophy, theology, and religion's supposed knowledge of God? This book answers these questions on the basis of a new account of evidence and knowledge of divine reality that challenges skepticism about God's existence. The central thesis is that we should expect evidence of divine reality to be purposively available to humans, that is, available only in a manner suitable to divine purposes in self-revelation. This lesson generates a seismic shift in our understanding of evidence and knowledge of divine reality. The result is a needed reorienting of religious epistemology to accommodate the character and purposes of an authoritative, perfectly loving God.

Paul Moser's book defends what has been an unfashionable view in recent epistemology: the foundationalist account of knowledge and justification. Since the time of Plato philosophers have wondered what exactly knowledge is. This book develops a new account of perceptual knowledge which specifies the exact sense in which knowledge has foundations. The author argues that experiential foundations are indeed essential to perceptual knowledge, and he explains what knowledge requires beyond justified true beliefs. In challenging prominent sceptical claims that we have no justified beliefs about the external world, the book outlines a theory of rational belief.

Knowledge and Evidence (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy)

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Books by Moser, Paul K.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Moser, Paul K.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Philosophy after Objectivity: Making Sense in Perspective

Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches

Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches

The Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction

The Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction (American History)

Philosophy after Objectivity: Making Sense in Perspective

Contemporary Materialism: A Reader

The Elusive God: Reorienting Religious Epistemology

The Elusive God: Reorienting Religious Epistemology

Knowledge and Evidence (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy)