Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches

by Paul K. Moser, Arnold vander Nat

Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches is a comprehensive collection of readings on the theory of knowledge that represent the most influential classical and contemporary philosophical approaches. Given the diversity of its selections, the book can be adapted to various philosophical perspectives. It is unique in scope and suitable as the main textbook for any academic course, undergraduate or graduate, that deals with the major philosophical approaches to human knowledge. The second edition has a revised general introduction, revised section introductions, updated bibliographies, and more selections from classical modern philosophers and on contemporary epistemology.

Genres: Philosophy

480 pages, Hardcover

First published May 28, 1987

About the author

Paul Moser is an American analytic philosopher who writes on epistemology and the philosophy of religion. He is professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago and editor of American Philosophical Quarterly. He is the author of many works in epistemology and the philosophy of religion, in which he has supported versions of epistemic foundationalism and volitional theism. His latest work brings these two positions together to support volitional evidentialism about theistic belief, in contrast to fideism and traditional natural theology. His work draws from some epistemological and theological insights of Blaise Pascal, John Oman, and H. H. Farmer, but adds (i) a notion of purposively available evidence of God’s existence, (ii) a notion of authoritative evidence in contrast with spectator evidence, and (iii) a notion of personifying evidence of God whereby some willing humans become salient evidence of God's existence.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be candid. I *hate* epistemology. I just don't get the concept of the "study of knowledge". That said, there are some excellent essays in here, some really good nuggets of historical thoughts on knowledge that are excellent for the student of philosophy, the student of leadership and the doctoral level student.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of essays an excerpts from some of the most important historical and contemporary epistemology. Part I is dedicated to historical sources (Ancient, Medieval, Modern), and Part II is contemporary analytic epistemology.

Early works include not only the obligatory Plato and Aristotle, but the often (tragically) overlooked skeptical works -- in this case, excerpts from Sextus Empiricus. The modern works are a heavier on the empiricism/rationalism debate (not much in the way of idealism -- perhaps for the better). This doesn't surprise me too much, though. Arnie's primary interest is early modern.

Paul Moser probably was responsible for the second part, and the selections are great. Though I know he's no naturalist, he chose a great selection for the "psychological approaches" section. The high point is definitely Goldman's fantastic essay on Epistemics. It is similar, thematically, to Bishop and Trout's Epistemology and the psychology of human judgment.

Overall, I am having a great time reading this book.