Wiley-Blackwell Reading Epistemology: Selected Texts with Interactive Commentary (Reading Philosophy)

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. Review "Sven Bernecker's book is an excellent one for students. The selected passages are very well chosen, and the commentaries are explanatory, acute, interesting and well informed. By not being over detailed or dogmatic, they will serve to stimulate critical thought, which is very much the book's aim." Paul Snowdon,University College London "Bernecker goes beyond the traditional anthology by combining well-chosen primary sources with carefully constructed commentary on each source … which not only help the reader make sense of complex arguments and theses, but which also place the primary sources in the context of the debates and controversies from which they arise. Anyone who teaches epistemology will want to take a close look at this text." Saul Traiger, Occidental College From the Inside Flap 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. Two contrasting views are presented on each of six core topics: the definition of knowledge, the relation between justification and truth, epistemic duties and virtues, testimonial knowledge, foundationalism versus coherentism, and scepticism and contextualism. Among the authors are Nozick, Ernest Sosa, Alvin Goldman, BonJour, Dretske, and Burge. Each chapter contains an introduction to the topic, introductions to the authors, extensive commentaries on the texts, questions for debate and an annotated bibliography. The introductions and commentaries outline the philosophical train of thought, provide background information, and locate particular positions and arguments within the field. The interactive nature of the commentaries encourages readers to engage with the texts and to think for themselves. From the Back Cover 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. Two contrasting views are presented on each of six core topics: the definition of knowledge, the relation between justification and truth, epistemic duties and virtues, testimonial knowledge, foundationalism versus coherentism, and scepticism and contextualism. Among the authors are Nozick, Ernest Sosa, Alvin Goldman, BonJour, Dretske, and Burge. Each chapter contains an introduction to the topic, introductions to the authors, extensive commentaries on the texts, questions for debate and an annotated bibliography. The introductions and commentaries outline the philosophical train of thought, provide background information, and locate particular positions and arguments within the field. The interactive nature of the commentaries encourages readers to engage with the texts and to think for themselves. About the Author Sven Bernecker is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Manchester and Privatdozent for Philosophy at the University of Munich. He has written on epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy of mind and is co-editor with Fred Dretske of Knowledge: Readings in Contemporary Epistemology (2000).