Inference from Signs: Ancient Debates about the Nature of Evidence

by James Allen

Overview

Original and penetrating, this book investigates of the notion of inference from signs, which played a central role in ancient philosophical and scientific method. It examines an important chapter in ancient epistemology: the debates about the nature of evidence and of the inferences based on it—or signs and sign-inferences as they were called in antiquity. As the first comprehensive treatment of this topic, it fills an important gap in the histories of science and philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198250944
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/09/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

James Allen is Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh.

Table of Contents

Study I: Aristotle on sign-inference and related forms of argumentStudy I Appendix A: The text of iRhetoric/i, II 25, 1403a6-10Study I Appendix B: Were there other developments in Aristotle's rhetorical theory? Study II: Rationalism, Empiricism, and Scepticism: Sextus Empiricus' treatment of sign-inferenceStudy III; The Stoics on sign-inference and demonstrationStudy III Appendix: The evidence for a Dialectical origin of the Stoic theory of signsStudy IV: Epicurean sign-inference in PhilodemusConclusion

Editorial Reviews

"This excellent book provides a number of new historical and exegetical takes on an important chapter in Hellenistic epistemology. Allen's ideas will be at the center of future debates in the field."—Ancient Philosophy

"Allen's brilliant investigation of the various strands in Sextus' chapters on signs is a masterpiece of historical as well as philosophical scholarship...This book adds a new dimension to our understanding of Hellenistic epistemology...will quickly become the authoritative work on this important chapter in the histories of science and philosophy.'"—Gisela Striker, Harvard University

From the Publisher