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Philosophy General

Knowledge in an Uncertain World

by (author) Jeremy Fantl & Matthew McGrath

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Initial publish date
Dec 2009
Category
General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780199550623
    Publish Date
    Dec 2009
    List Price
    $120.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780199694679
    Publish Date
    Dec 2011
    List Price
    $58.00

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Description

Knowledge in an Uncertain World is an exploration of the relation between knowledge, reasons, and justification. According to the primary argument of the book, you can rely on what you know in action and belief, because what you know can be a reason you have and you can rely on the reasons you have. If knowledge doesn't allow for a chance of error, then this result is unsurprising. But if knowledge does allow for a chance of error - as seems required if we know much of anything at all - this result entails the denial of a received position in epistemology. Because any chance of error, if the stakes are high enough, can make a difference to what can be relied on, two subjects with the same evidence and generally the same strength of epistemic position for a proposition can differ with respect to whether they are in a position to know.

In defending these points, Fantl and McGrath investigate the ramifications for debates about epistemological externalism and contextualism, the value and importance of knowledge, Wittgensteinian hinge propositions, Bayesianism, and the nature of belief. The book is essential reading for epistemologists, philosophers who work on reasons and rationality, philosophers of language and mind, and decision theorists.

About the authors

Jeremy Fantl's profile page

Matthew McGrath has been managing investment portfolios for well over eighteen years, two of which were spent on Wall Street.

Matthew McGrath's profile page