Audi, Robert.
Epistemology: A contemporary Introduction to the Theory of knowledge.
Audi,
Robert. Epistemology: A contemporary Introduction to the Theory of
knowledge, London: Routledge, 2003. Paperback
ISBN:
0-203-98707-1.
Pages-
369
The
general understanding of the title: Epistemology, or the theory of knowledge,
is concerned with how we know what we do, what justifies us in believing what
we do, and what standards of evidence we should use in seeking truths about the
world and human experience. This comprehensive
book entitled Epistemology:
A Contemporary Introduction to the
Theory of Knowledge by Robert Audi, introduces the
concepts and theories
central for understanding knowledge. Audi (born November
1941) is an American philosopher whose major work has focused on epistemology,
ethics, especially on ethical intuitionism, and the theory of action. He is
O'Brien Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. He also has
worked as president of the American Philosophical Association and the Society
of Christian Philosophers.
The book is not meant
as an introduction to the literature of epistemology, but rather to be an introduction
to the field itself. It consists of an introduction, plus three parts, of five,
two, and four chapters (including the conclusion) respectively. Part
one has five chapters devoted respectively to perception, memory,
consciousness, reason and Testimony. The two chapters of part two are devoted
respectively to inference and the extension of knowledge, and to the
architecture of knowledge. Part three is devoted to the analysis of knowledge;
scientific, moral and religious knowledge; skepticism; and finally, the conclusion.
Has been said and comments by many readers of this book that it is not really a
simple introduction to epistemology, hard to comprehend to learner of the
epistemologists in the absence of general introduction to philosophy. In “The
Sources of Knowledge,” Audi distinguishes what he calls the “four standard
basic sources” by which we acquire knowledge or justified belief: perception,
memory, consciousness, and reason. With the exception of memory, he
distinguishes each of the above as a basic source of knowledge (a source that
yields knowledge or justified belief without positive dependence on another
source). Audi contrasts basic sources with non basic sources, concentrating on
testimony.
The main focus Audi in
this book is the body of concepts, theories, and problems central in
understanding knowledge and justification.
Historically, justification sometimes under such names as ‘reason to
believe,’ ‘evidence,’ and ‘warrant’ has been as important in epistemology as
knowledge itself. In many parts
of the book,
justification and knowledge
are discussed separately; but
they are also
interconnected at many
points.
The book is
not historically organized,
but it does
discuss selected major
positions in the
history of philosophy,
particularly some of
those that have greatly
influenced human thought. One of the primary aim of this book can be seen, is
to facilitate the
reading of those philosophers, especially their epistemological writings and many philosophical tools, which
are needed to understand
them. The work of Audi is admirable; he collectively inserted immense
fragments on epistemology, and needed to study by immersing philosophers of
this contemporary era.
No comments:
Post a Comment