Epistemology
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Epistemology is destined to become a classic. BonJour gives the reader a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental issues of epistemology. In the great tradition of philosophers like Russell and Ayer, BonJour has written a book that will be accessible and compelling to readers of all backgrounds.--Fumerton, Richard
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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In Epistemology, Laurence Bonjour introduces the serious philosophy student to the history and concepts of epistemology, while simultaneously challenging them to take an active part in its ongoing debates. The text reflects BonJour's conviction that the place to start any discussion of the theories of knowledge is with the classical problems, beginning with and centered around Descartes. Only after the groundwork for understanding epistemology is laid does BonJour move on to the more contemporary revolutions against the classical approach. A versatile text that can be used in introductory-level epistemology courses, it can also be used by an upper-level epistemology class when supplemented by appropriate readings. This book is not, however, a simple reader of the different theories of knowledge. Epistemology prods students to think independently about the various epistemological approaches presented in the text, and form their own conclusions, thus becoming active participants in the ongoing debate.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
BonJour is a rare gem in the sterile world of philosophy these days. Most people will tell you (and they're correct) that philosophy has become a self-indulgent pursuit of word-games, be they from the deconstructionist/postmodernist (Derrida et. al) side, or supposedly more philosophical 'analytical' school (Kripke/Searle). Both postmodernists and analytical schools are as bad as each other, having lost sight of what philosophy actually is, and that is to understand the reality which we live in, and to deepen our understanding of it (Indeed there is a place for philosophy of language, but it is fundamentally mistaken in thinking itself to be the sole pursuit of philosophy). BonJour understands this, and gleefully repudiates such language-based accounts of understanding such as contextualism, the recent movement of coherentism (of which he was a radical member of once) and logical positivism (which though is as dead as a doornail has influenced its bastard child linguistic/analytic philosophy). Bonjour's defence of foundationalism in this book is quite rigourous, though astute philosophers will pick out the flaws in his conception (He writes an even more robust defence in his other work "In Defence of Pure Reason" which is more difficult than this one).
On the whole it is refreshing to see some philosophers' getting to grips again with what philosophy as its greatest practitioners saw it as; understanding the universe.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A Good start on Modern Epistemic Issues
27 Oct 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Expensive, epistemic expansive, exacting in many aspects, a must for any young student of epistemc studies. You will not agree with all the solutions or even the formulation of the problems, but you should enjoy reading the book as it will assist you in expanding your understanding of your knowledge pre-committments.
Buy this if you are an alert student or one seeking to make epistemology a part of your intellecutal life; as per most fail to seek in forming their worldview.
Buy this if you are an alert student or one seeking to make epistemology a part of your intellecutal life; as per most fail to seek in forming their worldview.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Fine Introduction on Epistemic Issues
4 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback
I relish a capable and brainy reading adventure. I know it seems that much of this world is crazy for fluff. We have an entertainment industry that often provides trifling pieces of unimportant lightweight productions. There are some inane movie stars marketing insipid shows while intermixing irrational worldviews. Yes, that's just entertainment. And human beings ought to have mindless musings and delightful entertainment.
Nonetheless, what we need more are potent and thorough informed philosophical literature. In BonJour's Epistemology, here we have "a lucid defense of internalist, Cartesian foundationalism" (Ernest Sosa).
Among Chapter Subjects are:
- Descartes,
- A Priori
- the Problem of Induction
- Other Minds
- Quine
- Foundationalism V Coherentism
Very few works of Epistemology are intellectually accessible to the philosophically unseasoned. This book is an exception to that rule. This is a thinking man's simple introduction to epistemic issues, problems, and possible solutions. This is a fine read for students with or without an avowed epistemic stance. BonJour does not vigorously enforce his epistemic perspective on the uninformed, but he discusses and as he writes "suggests" thoughtful and satisfactory answers. My own epistemic province is sharply opposed to the author's, nevertheless I luxuriate in informed and earnest and pensive deliberations on truth and knowledge. I'd rather abstain from a sit-com than an outstanding epistemic treatise such as this one BonJour has rendered.
Nonetheless, what we need more are potent and thorough informed philosophical literature. In BonJour's Epistemology, here we have "a lucid defense of internalist, Cartesian foundationalism" (Ernest Sosa).
Among Chapter Subjects are:
- Descartes,
- A Priori
- the Problem of Induction
- Other Minds
- Quine
- Foundationalism V Coherentism
Very few works of Epistemology are intellectually accessible to the philosophically unseasoned. This book is an exception to that rule. This is a thinking man's simple introduction to epistemic issues, problems, and possible solutions. This is a fine read for students with or without an avowed epistemic stance. BonJour does not vigorously enforce his epistemic perspective on the uninformed, but he discusses and as he writes "suggests" thoughtful and satisfactory answers. My own epistemic province is sharply opposed to the author's, nevertheless I luxuriate in informed and earnest and pensive deliberations on truth and knowledge. I'd rather abstain from a sit-com than an outstanding epistemic treatise such as this one BonJour has rendered.
7 of 12 people found the following review helpful
It Usually Begins With Descartes
13 Sep 2003
Format:Hardcover
Laurence BonJour is one of the leading epistemologists in America. He has written two other books, IN DEFENSE OF PURE REASON and THE STRUCTURE OF EMPIRICAL KNOWLEDGE.
This book takes as his departure the Cartesian program. Much of the book is a discussion of various epistemological problems analyzed in light of responses to Descartes. (For example, Plato and Aristotle are barely mentioned, and Aquinas isn't mentioned at all.) Many of the current issues in epistemology are discussed, such as foundationalism versus coherentism, and sense-data and adverbial theories of perception. There is a lengthy critique of Quine's "naturalized epistemology."
This book is part of a new series called ELEMENTS OF PHILOSOPY, which is edited by Robert Audi. Prof. Audi has written a work entitled EPISTEMOLOGY for a different series. That work is also recommended and covers similar ground as Prof. Bonjour's work, but is a little longer.
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