A Critical Introduction to Skepticism: (Bloomsbury Critical Introductions to Contemporary Epistemology)

Skepticism remains a central and defining issue in epistemology, and in the wider tradition of Western philosophy. To better understand the contemporary position of this important philosophical subject, Allan Hazlett introduces a range of topics, including: • Ancient skepticism • skeptical arguments in the work of Hume and Descartes • Cartesian skepticism in contemporary epistemology • anti-skeptical strategies, including Mooreanism, nonclosure, and contextualism • additional varieties of skepticism • the practical consequences of Cartesian skepticism Presenting a comprehensive survey of the key problems, arguments, and theories, together with additional readings, A Critical Introduction to Skepticism is an ideal guide for students and scholars looking to understand how skepticism is shaping epistemology today.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Skepticism 1. The Skeptical Persuasion 2. The Mode from Dispute 3. Our Inirm Understanding 4. Our Darkened Intellect Part II: Anti-Skepticism 5. The Moorean Persuasion 6. Nonclosure 7. Skepticism and Language Part III: New Directions 8. Beyond Propositional Knowledge 9. Skepsis and Praxis Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Allan Hazlett is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Review :
This book's great success is owed to the philosophical insight and expository skill of its author, whose mastery is manifest in the depth and breadth attained, with crystal clarity and a light touch that will please readers. -- Ernest Sosa, Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, USA Allan Hazlett's book is the best sort of guide to skepticism: both sympathetic and critical in turns, it is thoroughly grounded in recent historical scholarship and displays a sharp eye for issues in contemporary epistemology. This lucid and engaging presentation of the skeptical tradition-from its origin to its present and possible future-successfully captures what makes skepticism an endless source of philosophical fascination. -- Baron Reed, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Northwestern University, USA Marked by a dazzling combination of comprehensiveness, brevity, novelty, clarity, humor, and a refreshing streak of irreverence, Hazlett's introduction to skepticism will make an excellent addition to any course in epistemology and, indeed, to the bookshelf of every thoughtful person who wants to avoid the intellectual doom which, Hazlett argues, accompanies ignorance of the great skeptical and anti-skeptical traditions. Dare I say it? Even skeptics will agree: the more people who know about this book, the better. -- John Turri, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Waterloo, Canada