Rowman & Littlefield Publishers The Future of Social Epistemology: A Collective Vision (Collective Studies in Knowledge and Society)

The Future of Social Epistemology: A Collective Vision sets an agenda for exploring the future of what we - human beings reimagining our selves and our society - want, need and ought to know. The book examines, concretely, practically and speculatively, key ideas such as the public conduct of philosophy, models for extending and distributing knowledge, the interplay among individuals and groups, risk taking and the welfare state, and envisioning people and societies remade through the breakneck pace of scientific and technological change. An international team of contributors offers a 'collective vision', one that speaks to what they see unfolding and how to plan and conduct the dialogue and work leading to a knowable and desirable world. The book describes and advances an intellectual agenda for the future of social epistemology. Review This collection of twenty-five original essays from an international group of scholars proposes various possible avenues of development for the emerging study of social epistemology. As much a shared agenda or vision statement as it is a series of discussions that take stock of where social epistemology is now, the essays cover topics such as how to extend and distribute knowledge, the public conduct of philosophy, and how the social study of knowledge may be affected by scientific and technological change. The contributions collectively provide a practical guide to the student of social epistemology....-- "Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal"Taking stock and simultaneously exploring new perspectives, this is a bold and timely addition to the existing literature. New voices join established scholars in a collaborative effort to challenge disciplinary boundaries; the result is a vibrant and thought-provoking collection of papers - as much a contribution to the social study of knowledge as it is an experiment with doing social epistemology.--Axel Gelfert, Associate Professor of Philosophy, National University of SingaporeAs a new interdisciplinary area of knowledge production and dissemination, Social Epistemology has found its own voice and international disciples. This volume brings together not only a variety of perspectives and practices, but also a self-reflexive moment that looks at the present condition of the field to envision its future. A must read for the novice and the curious.--Raphael Sassower, Professor and Chair of Philosophy, University of Colorado About the Author James H. Collier is Associate Professor of Science and Technology in Society at Virginia Tech. He is the Executive Editor of Social Epistemology and the Founding and Acting Editor of the Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective, www.social-epistemology.com.