A Critical Introduction to Skepticism

Description

Skepticism remains a central and defining issue in epistemology, and in the wider tradition of Western philosophy. To better understand the contemporary position of this important philosophical subject, Allan Hazlett introduces a range of topics, including: * Ancient skepticism * skeptical arguments in the work of Hume and Descartes * Cartesian skepticism in contemporary epistemology * anti-skeptical strategies, including Mooreanism, nonclosure, and contextualism * additional varieties of skepticism * the practical consequences of Cartesian skepticism Presenting a comprehensive survey of the key problems, arguments, and theories, together with additional readings, A Critical Introduction to Skepticism is an ideal guide for students and scholars looking to understand how skepticism is shaping epistemology today.

Allan Hazlett is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

This book's great success is owed to the philosophical insight and expository skill of its author, whose mastery is manifest in the depth and breadth attained, with crystal clarity and a light touch that will please readers. -- Ernest Sosa, Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, USA Allan Hazlett's book is the best sort of guide to skepticism: both sympathetic and critical in turns, it is thoroughly grounded in recent historical scholarship and displays a sharp eye for issues in contemporary epistemology. This lucid and engaging presentation of the skeptical tradition-from its origin to its present and possible future-successfully captures what makes skepticism an endless source of philosophical fascination. -- Baron Reed, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Northwestern University, USA Marked by a dazzling combination of comprehensiveness, brevity, novelty, clarity, humor, and a refreshing streak of irreverence, Hazlett's introduction to skepticism will make an excellent addition to any course in epistemology and, indeed, to the bookshelf of every thoughtful person who wants to avoid the intellectual doom which, Hazlett argues, accompanies ignorance of the great skeptical and anti-skeptical traditions. Dare I say it? Even skeptics will agree: the more people who know about this book, the better. -- John Turri, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Waterloo, Canada Hazlett has produced a wonderfully thorough introduction to skepticism, which has what I consider to be a great deal of pedagogical value for teachers of skepticism at a variety of levels. * Teaching Philosophy * This opinionated introduction was missing from the philosophical library. It is useful to students and it poses some challenges to the experts as well. Hazlett maps out the main sceptical and anti-sceptical positions, scrutinizing key arguments by means of a generous selection of quotes. * Australasian Journal of Philosophy *