Description
Book SynopsisIn this wide-ranging collection of never before published essays, distinguished scholars in the fields of philosophy and economics examine such questions as whether testimony is a basic source of knowledge, the degree to which notions of a good argument are determined by speakers and their audiences, the role of individual biases in the development of science, and the social aspects of group belief and group justification. The collection ends with the first comprehensive bibliography of social epistemology.
Trade ReviewIs knowledge produced by rational individuals struggling mightily to unearth the objective facts? Or is it a wholly social product, reflecting interests and social structures, divorced from the world? It is a bit of each—but the trick is to integrate the rational and the social into a seamless whole. This splendid volume goes a very long way in generating a unified outlook. -- James Robert Brown, University of Toronto
The topic is novel and important, the set of authors outstanding, the collection coherent. An excellent book. -- Ernest Sosa, Brown University
Superb editing and an unusual number of high-quality contributions make this an excellent introduction to the subject. I enthusiastically recommend it. -- Andrew P. Norman * Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy *
. . . this is a very useful volume, filling a gap in epistemological analysis . . . the articles go considerable distance in suggesting lines of inquiry for gaining a fuller understanding of knowledge as having both individual and social aspects. * International Studies in the Philosophy of Science *
This collection points to many new research areas in epistemology and will give the reader a feel for the excitement surrounding epistemology in its new naturalistic guise. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Socializing Epistemology: An Introduction Through Two Sample Issues Chapter 2 Belief-Forming Practices and the Social Chapter 3 Egoism in Epistemology Chapter 4 Speaking of Ghosts Chapter 5 A Conservative Approach to Social Epistemology Chapter 6 Contrasting Conceptions of Social Epistemology Chapter 7 The Fate of Knowledge in Social Theories of Science Chapter 8 Good Arguments Chapter 9 Accuracy in Journalism: An Economic Approach Chapter 10 A More Social Epistemology Chapter 11 Remarks on Collective Belief Chapter 12 The Justification of Group Beliefs Chapter 13 Bibliography
