Reason Without Freedom: The Problem of Epistemic Normativity / Edition 1

by David Owens

Overview

We call beliefs reasonable or unreasonable, justified or unjustified. What does this imply about belief? Does this imply that we are responsible for our beliefs and that we should be blamed for our unreasonable convictions? Or does it imply that we are in control of our beliefs and that what we believe is up to us? Reason Without Freedom argues that the major problems of epistemology have their roots in concerns about our control over and responsibility for belief. David Owens focuses on the arguments of Descartes, Locke and Hume - the founders of epistemology - and presents a critical discussion of the current trends in contemporary epistemology. He proposes that the problems we confront today - scepticism, the analysis of knowlege, and debates on epistemic justification - can be tackled only once we have understood the moral psychology of belief. This can be resolved when we realise that our responsibility for beliefs is profoundly different from our rationality and agency, and that memory and testimony can preserve justified belief without preserving the evidence which might be used to justify it. Reason Without Freedom should be of value to those interested in contemporary epistemology, philosophy of mind and action, ethics, and the history of 17th and 18th century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415223898
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/25/2000
Series:	International Library of Philosophy
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Owens is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Sheffield.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part 1 Belief and reason; Chapter 1 Reflection and rationality; Chapter 2 Motivating belief; Chapter 3 Knowledge and conclusive grounds; Chapter 4 Scepticism, certainty and control; Part 2 Freedom and responsibility; Chapter 5 Freedom and the will; Chapter 6 Locke on freedom; Chapter 7 A theory of freedom; Chapter 8 The scope of responsibility; Part 3 Memory and testimony; Chapter 9 Knowledge and its preservation; Chapter 10 The authority of memory; Chapter 11 The authority of testimony;

Editorial Reviews

'Owen's book is commendably clear, carefully argued and rich in detail. It also includes interesting historical material on the early moderns ... and a thought-provoking discussion of scepticism ... an accomplished and challenging book that deserves to receive a great deal of critical attention.' - Philosophical Books

From the Publisher