The Epistemological Skyhook: Determinism, Naturalism, and Self-Defeat / Edition 1

by Jim Slagle

Overview

Throughout philosophical history, there has been a recurring argument to the effect that determinism, naturalism, or both are self-referentially incoherent. By accepting determinism or naturalism, one allegedly acquires a reason to reject determinism or naturalism. The Epistemological Skyhook brings together, for the first time, the principal expressions of this argument, focusing primarily on the last 150 years. This book addresses the versions of this argument as presented by Arthur Lovejoy, A.E. Taylor, Kurt Gödel, C.S. Lewis, Norman Malcolm, Karl Popper, J.R. Lucas, William Hasker, Thomas Nagel, Alvin Plantinga, and others, along with the objections presented by their many detractors. It concludes by presenting a new version of the argument that synthesizes the best aspects of the others while also rendering the argument immune to some of the most significant objections made to it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138651425
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/02/2016
Series:	Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy
Pages:	266
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jim Slagle is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Portland and George Fox University in Oregon. He has published articles in several journals, including Philosophia and Logique et Analyse.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Skyhook

2. Defining Terms

3. Paradox Lost

4. Eliminationist Rhetoric (or, Truth Takes the Hindmost)

5. Mental Problems

6. Knowledge and Normativity

7. Language Games

8. Popper Function

9. Being Thomas Nagel

10. Epistemology Supernaturalized

11. Leftovers

12. Object Lessons

13. An A Priori Teleological Argument

Conclusion