Basic Knowledge and Conditions on Knowledge - cover image

Copyright

Mark McBride

Published On

2017-10-30

ISBN

Paperback978-1-78374-283-7
Hardback978-1-78374-284-4
PDF978-1-78374-285-1
HTML978-1-80064-523-3
XML978-1-78374-438-1
EPUB978-1-78374-286-8
MOBI978-1-78374-287-5

Language

  • English

Print Length

238 pages (viii + 230)

Dimensions

Paperback156 x 13 x 234 mm(6.14" x 0.51" x 9.21")
Hardback156 x 14 x 234 mm(6.14" x 0.56" x 9.21")

Weight

Paperback757g (26.70oz)
Hardback1135g (40.04oz)

OCLC Number

1159390055

LCCN

2019452595

BIC

  • HPK
  • GTR
  • CFA

BISAC

  • PHI004000

LCC

  • BD161

Keywords

  • Basic knowledge
  • epistemology
  • justifications
  • safety condition
  • conclusive reasons
  • sensitivity

Basic Knowledge and Conditions on Knowledge

How do we know what we know? In this stimulating and rigorous book, Mark McBride explores two sets of issues in contemporary epistemology: the problems that warrant transmission poses for the category of basic knowledge; and the status of conclusive reasons, sensitivity, and safety as conditions that are necessary for knowledge.

To have basic knowledge is to know (have justification for) some proposition immediately, i.e., knowledge (justification) that doesn’t depend on justification for any other proposition. This book considers several puzzles that arise when you take seriously the possibility that we can have basic knowledge.

McBride’s analysis draws together two vital strands in contemporary epistemology that are usually treated in isolation from each other. Additionally, its innovative arguments include a new application of the safety condition to the law.

This book will be of interest to epistemologists―both professionals and students.

Endorsements

McBride’s book considers a variety of puzzles concerning immediate justification and knowledge. These puzzles are of active interest in the field, and it is useful to address them all in a single volume. I learned from this book, even when it covered issues I already knew well.

Prof. Christopher Tucker

College of William & Mary

Reviews

Mark McBride’s rich and rewarding book […] makes compelling reading for those […] versed in the literatures on transmission failure, easy knowledge and modal conditions on knowledge. […] [T]he expert will find a wealth of interesting material to chew over.

Robin McKenna, University of Liverpool

"McBride on Knowledge and Justification". Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective (2471-9560), vol. 7, no. 9, 2018.

Full Review

Contents

Introduction

(pp. 1–26)
  • Mark McBride

Overview of Part One

(pp. 29–32)
  • Mark McBride

1. Reflections on Moore’s ‘Proof’

(pp. 33–54)
  • Mark McBride

2. First Reflections on the Problem of Easy Knowledge

(pp. 55–76)
  • Mark McBride

3. The Problem of Easy Knowledge: Towards a Solution

(pp. 77–94)
  • Mark McBride

4. Evidence and Transmission Failure

(pp. 95–116)
  • Mark McBride

5. A Puzzle for Dogmatism

(pp. 117–124)
  • Mark McBride

Interim Review

(pp. 125–136)
  • Mark McBride

Overview of Part Two

(pp. 139–142)
  • Mark McBride

6. Conclusive Reasons

(pp. 143–158)
  • Mark McBride

7. Sensitivity

(pp. 159–180)
  • Mark McBride

8. Safety

(pp. 181–198)
  • Mark McBride

9. Safety: An Application

(pp. 199–206)
  • Mark McBride

Conclusion

(pp. 207–212)
  • Mark McBride

Contributors