Reading Group
During the academic year 2007-2008, we will be reading the following books:
Fall Quarter
A Virtue Epistemology: Apt Belief and Reflective Knowledge, by Ernest Sosa
"A Virtue Epistemology presents a new approach to some of the oldest and most gripping problems of philosophy, those of knowledge and skepticism. Ernest Sosa argues for two levels of knowledge, the animal and the reflective, each viewed as a distinctive human accomplishment. By adopting a kind of virtue epistemology in line with the tradition found in Aristotle, Aquinas, Reid, and especially Descartes, he presents an account of knowledge which can be used to shed light on different varieties of skepticism, the nature and status of intuitions, and epistemic normativity."
Fridays @ 12PM, Kresge Hall, Room 2-345
Winter Quarter
Mainstream and Formal Epistemology, by Vincent Hendricks
Mainstream and Formal Epistemology provides the first, easily accessible, yet erudite and original analysis of the meeting point between mainstream and formal theories of knowledge. These two strands of thinking have traditionally proceeded in isolation from one another, but in this book, Vincent F. Hendricks brings them together for a systematic comparative treatment. He demonstrates how mainstream and formal epistemology may significantly benefit from one another, paving the way for a new unifying program of “plethoric” epistemology. His book will both define and further the debate between philosophers from two very different sides of the epistemological spectrum.
Mondays @ 1PM, Kresge Hall, Room 2-345
Spring Quarter
The Philosophy of Philosophy, by Timothy Williamson
"The standard narratives of the development of philosophy over the past century are increasingly inadequate, yet it remains unclear what should replace them. The Philosophy of Philosophy provides an original and provocative take on the nature and methodology of philosophy. Pre-eminent contemporary philosopher Timothy Williamson rejects the ideology of the most distinctive trend of 20th century philosophy—the 'linguistic turn'. He describes the method of philosophy as evolving from non-philosophical ways of thinking and proposes a fresh understanding of both contemporary and past philosophers."
Wednesdays @ 11AM, Kresge Hall, Room 2-345
Summer Quarter
The Possibility of Knowledge, by Quassim Cassam
"How is knowledge of the external world possible? How is knowledge of other minds possible? How is a priori knowledge possible? These are all examples of how-possible questions in epistemology. Quassim Cassam explains how such questions arise and how they should be answered."
Tuesdays @ 1PM, Kresge Hall, Room 2-345
For more information on the reading group contact Sandy Goldberg.
