Knowledge in Perspective: Selected Essays in Epistemology(Cambridge Studies in Philosophy)

Ever since Plato, philosophers have faced one central question: what is the scope and nature of human knowledge? In this volume the distinguished philosopher Ernest Sosa collects essays on this subject written over a period of twenty-five years. All the major topics of contemporary epistemology are covered: the nature of propositional knowledge; externalism versus internalism; foundationalism versus coherentism; and the problem of the criterion. 'Sosa is one of the most prominent and most important epistemologists on the current American scene.' William P. Alston, Syracuse University

Table of Contents:
Sources and acknowledgments; Introduction; Part I. What is Knowledge, And How is it Possible? 1. The analysis of 'knowledge that p'; 2. How do you know?; 3. On our knowledge of matters of fact; 4. Presuppositions of empirical knowledge; Part II. Theories of Justification: 5. Epistemology today: a perspective in retrospect; 6. Nature unmirrored, epistemology naturalized; 7. Theories of justification: old doctrines newly defended; 8. Reliabilism and intellectual virtue; Part III. Intellectual Virtue and Epistemic Perspective: A View Presented: 9. The foundations of foundationalism; 10. The raft and the pyramid: coherence versus foundations in the theory of knowledge; 11. The coherence of virtue and the virtue of coherence; 12. Testimony and coherence; Part IV. Intellectual Virtue in Perspective: The View Developed: 13. Knowledge and intellectual virtue; 14. Methodology and apt belief; 15. Equilibrium in coherence?; 16. Intellectual virtue in perspective; Index.

Review :
"Sosa is one of the most prominent and most important epistemologists on the current American scene." William P. Alston, Syracuse University "Sosa's epistemology synthesizes rival perspectives in an extremely subtle and sophisticated fashion. This is a very welcome collection." Alvin I. Goldman, The University of Arizona |x x "This important collection displays Ernest Sosa's characteristic virtues: clarity, thoughtfulness, and originality. Anyone concerned with contemporary epistemology will find it of great interest." Alvin Plantinga, University of Notre Dame "This collection of articles by Ernest Sosa are a model of philosophical inquiry. The lucid clarity of the exposition is only surpassed by the original insight of the conceptions. A marvelous book. Epistemological writing at its best." Keith Lehrer, The University of Arizona "...required reading for anyone interested in the theory of knowledge." Choice "Sosa's collection is required reading for contemporary philosphers. It presents and assesses leading epistemological views with remarkable skill and insight, and develops an original account of knowledge and justification that improves on previous views. This collection illuminates a vast area of epistemology, an area vastly improved by Sosa's careful work." Paul K. Moser, Canadian Philosophical Reviews |x x "Ernest Sosa has been one of the most prominent American epistemologists in the last few decades, and it is good to have his most important epistemological essays available in a single volume, arranged, mostly, in chronological order. There are many treasures here, including strictures on an 'argumenative' account of justification and knowledge, acute criticisms of coherence theory, an important distinction between what he calls 'formal foundationalism' and 'substantive foundationalism', some salutary pooh-poohing of fashionable versions of 'naturalized epistemology', a useful discussion of the epistemology of testimony, a plea for the importance of 'abduction', and much more." William P. Alston, Mind |x x