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Scepticism: A Very Short Introduction [#613]
Scepticism: A Very Short Introduction [#613]
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  • Explores the nature of scepticism, asking when it is legitimate and when it is problematic
  • Relates the topic of scepticism to important social trends, such as fake news, post-truth politics, and climate change denial
  • Examines the philosophical arguments for a radical form of scepticism which maintains that knowledge is impossible

    
Throughout history scepticism and the urge to question accepted truths has been a powerful force for change and growth. Today, as we are bombarded by adverts, scientific studies praising the latest superfoods, and political rhetoric, a healthy amount of scepticism is widely encouraged. But when is such scepticism legitimate - for example, as a driver of new ideas - and when is it problematic? And what role might adopting a sceptical outlook play in leading an intellectually virtuous life?
     
In this Very Short Introduction Duncan Pritchard explores both the advantages of scepticism, in challenging outdated notions, and also how it can have unhelpful social consequences, in generating distrust. He considers the role of scepticism at the source of contemporary social and political movements such as climate change denial, post-truth politics, and fake news. Pritchard also examines the philosophical arguments for a radical form of scepticism which maintains that knowledge is impossible, and explores some of the main responses to these arguments. Finally, he considers the part scepticism might play in applying better thinking and learning to achieve a more meaningful life. 

Index: 

1: What is scepticism?
2: Is knowledge impossible?
3: Defending knowledge
4: Scepticism as a way of life
Further reading
Index

About the author: 

Duncan Pritchard is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine, and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. His books include Epistemic Luck (OUP, 2005), Epistemological Disjunctivism (OUP, 2012), The Nature and Value of Knowledge (OUP 2010), co-authored with Alan Millar, Adrian Haddock, and Epistemic Angst (Princeton UP, 2015). In 2007 he was awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize, and, in 2011, he was elected to a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Product details

ISBN : 9780198829164

Author: 
Duncan Pritchard
Pages
128 Pages
Format
Paperback
Size
111 x 174 mm
Pub date
Sep 2019
Series
Very Short Introductions
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Scepticism: A Very Short Introduction [#613]

Scepticism: A Very Short Introduction [#613]

Scepticism: A Very Short Introduction [#613]