After Parmenides: Idealism, Realism, and Epistemic Constructivism

Tom Rockmore's book "After Parmenides" challenges the idea of a mind-independent real and argues that we should focus on the objects of cognition that our mind constructs. It charts the continual engagement with these ideas throughout philosophical history and shows how new connections can be made when reread through a new lens.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

After Parmenides, Tom Rockmore takes us on a journey back to the very origins of philosophy, where Parmenides boldly asserted that thought and being are one: what we know is what is. This fundamental idea sparked a divide between what the mind constructs as knowable entities and the notion that there exists a mind-independent realm, which we can either know or fail to know. To challenge this, Rockmore argues that we should abandon the idea of this real and instead focus on the cognitive objects that our mind creates. While we may not have access to mind-independent objects as they truly exist, we can and do know them as they appear to us. If we construct the object we seek to know, then it corresponds to our thoughts about it.

After Parmenides traces the ongoing exploration of these concepts of reality and the knowable throughout the rich tapestry of philosophical history, spanning from Plato and Aristotle to Descartes, Kant, Fichte, Hegel, and Schopenhauer, Marx, and many others. This ambitious book showcases how rereading philosophy through a fresh lens can unlock new connections and insights.

In this philosophical exploration, Rockmore challenges us to reconsider our understanding of reality and the knowledge we acquire. He encourages us to shift our focus from seeking an independent, mind-independent realm to embracing the cognitive objects that shape our perception and understanding. By doing so, we can bridge the gap between what we think we know and the deeper truth that lies beyond our immediate experiences.

Through his meticulous analysis and thoughtful arguments, Rockmore invites us to reexamine the foundations of philosophy and explore new avenues for understanding the world. After Parmenides serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in delving deeper into the complexities of philosophical thought and the quest for knowledge.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 236 x 160 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226795423