The Epistemology of Keith Lehrer

Keith Lehrer is one of the leading proponents of a coherence theory of knowledge that seeks to explain what it means to know in a characteristically human way. Central to his account are the pivotal role played by a principle of self-trust and his insistence that a sound epistemology must ultimately be ecumenical in nature, combining elements of internalism and externalism. The present book is an extensive, self-contained, up-to-date study of Lehrer's epistemological work. Covering all major aspects, it contains original contributions by some of the most distinguished specialists in the field, outgoing from the latest, significantly revised version of Lehrer's theory. All basic ideas are explained in an introductory chapter. Lehrer's extensive replies in a final chapter give unique access to his current epistemological thinking.

List of contents

The Epistemology of Keith Lehrer.- Externalism Vs. Internalism.- 1 Epistemology: Does it Depend on Independence?.- 2 Why Not Reliabilism?.- 3 Justification and Proper Basing.- 4 Lehrer on Knowledge and Causation.- 5 Can we Grasp Consistency?.- Coherence and Personal Justification.- 6 Reasonable Acceptance and the Lottery Paradox: The Case for a More Credulous Consistency.- 7 Relational Coherence and Cumulative Reasoning.- 8 Lehrer Meets Ranking Theory.- 9 Two Dogmas of Probabilism.- Trustworthiness.- 10 Lehrer, Reid, and the First of All Principles.- 11 Self-Trust and the Reasonableness of Acceptance.- 12 The Dialectic Illusion of a Vicious Bootstrap.- Undefeated Justification and the Gettier Problem.- 13 Lehrer's Dynamic Theory of Knowledge.- 14 Some Remarks on the Definition of Lehrer's Ultrasystem.- 15 On Lehrer's Solution to the Gettier Problem.- Skepticism.- 16 Skepticism, Justification and the Trustworthiness Argument.- 17 Coherence, Knowledge and Skepticism.- 18 The Ultrasystemand the Conditional Fallacy.- 19 Coherence, Circularity and Consistency: Lehrer Replies.

Summary

Keith Lehrer is one of the leading proponents of a coherence theory of knowledge that seeks to explain what it means to know in a characteristically human way. Central to his account are the pivotal role played by a principle of self-trust and his insistence that a sound epistemology must ultimately be ecumenical in nature, combining elements of internalism and externalism. The present book is an extensive, self-contained, up-to-date study of Lehrer's epistemological work. Covering all major aspects, it contains original contributions by some of the most distinguished specialists in the field, outgoing from the latest, significantly revised version of Lehrer's theory. All basic ideas are explained in an introductory chapter. Lehrer's extensive replies in a final chapter give unique access to his current epistemological thinking.

Additional text

"Lehrer's epistemology continues to intrigue many practitioners in the field. This up-to-date volume explores the most distinctive features of his approach."
(Alvin I. Goldman, Regents Professor of Philosophy, The University of Arizona, USA)
"This new volume containing discussions of Lehrer's work by leading figures in the field, along with Lehrer's replies, provides valuable insight into the current thinking of one of contemporary Epistemology's most important philosophers."
(Stewart Cohen, Professor of Philosophy, Arizona State University, USA)
"Keith Lehrer's work in epistemology is of great importance to the field. This collection of papers is of central importance to an understanding of both Lehrer's epistemology and epistemology generally. This well chosen, internationally distinguished, group of contributors examines Lehrer's views and influence in each of five major parts of epistemology. The essays also break new ground on the issues themselves. Contemporary epistemologists will need to take account of these important essays. Erik Olsson has performed a real service to the profession organizing this fine volume. I recommend the volume with enthusiasm."
(Ted A. Warfield, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, USA)
"L`intérêt de cet ouvrage collectif n`est pas seulement qu`il donne une vue d`ensemble des thèses de l`un des plus importants philosophes contemporains, mais aussi que, à travers les critiques (auxquels Lehrer répond avec sa générosité habituelle), il offre une sorte de panorama complet des questions vives qui animent la théorie de la connaissance contemporaine, avec une précision et une minutie qu`auraient apprécié Aggrippa et Sextus."
[This volume is so important not only because it gives an overview of the theses of one of the most important contemporary philosophers, but also because it presents through the criticisms (to which Lehrer responds with hisusual generosity) an almost complete panorama of the lively questions that animate contemporary knowledge theory - so precisely and meticulously that Agrippa and Sextons would have appreciated it.]
(Pascal Engel, Philosophie)

Report

"Lehrer's epistemology continues to intrigue many practitioners in the field. This up-to-date volume explores the most distinctive features of his approach."
(Alvin I. Goldman, Regents Professor of Philosophy, The University of Arizona, USA)
"This new volume containing discussions of Lehrer's work by leading figures in the field, along with Lehrer's replies, provides valuable insight into the current thinking of one of contemporary Epistemology's most important philosophers."
(Stewart Cohen, Professor of Philosophy, Arizona State University, USA)
"Keith Lehrer's work in epistemology is of great importance to the field. This collection of papers is of central importance to an understanding of both Lehrer's epistemology and epistemology generally. This well chosen, internationally distinguished, group of contributors examines Lehrer's views and influence in each of five major parts of epistemology. The essays also break new ground on the issues themselves. Contemporary epistemologists will need to take account of these important essays. Erik Olsson has performed a real service to the profession organizing this fine volume. I recommend the volume with enthusiasm."
(Ted A. Warfield, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, USA)
"L`intérêt de cet ouvrage collectif n`est pas seulement qu`il donne une vue d`ensemble des thèses de l`un des plus importants philosophes contemporains, mais aussi que, à travers les critiques (auxquels Lehrer répond avec sa générosité habituelle), il offre une sorte de panorama complet des questions vives qui animent la théorie de la connaissance contemporaine, avec une précision et une minutie qu`auraient apprécié Aggrippa et Sextus."
[This volume is so important not only because it gives an overview of the theses of one of the most important contemporary philosophers, but also because it presents through the criticisms (to which Lehrer responds with hisusual generosity) an almost complete panorama of the lively questions that animate contemporary knowledge theory - so precisely and meticulously that Agrippa and Sextons would have appreciated it.]
(Pascal Engel, Philosophie)

Product details

• Assisted by: Eri Olsson (Editor), Erik Olsson (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.02.2011
• EAN: 9781402016059
• ISBN: 978-1-4020-1605-9
• No. of pages: 356
• Dimensions: 179 mm x 243 mm x 25 mm
• Weight: 736 g
• Illustrations: VII, 356 p.
• Series: Philosophical Studies Series; Philosophical Studies Series
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; B, Philosophy, Epistemology, Modern philosophy: since c 1800, Religion and Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, epistemology;knowledge;reason