Belief, Agency, and Knowledge: Essays on Epistemic Normativity

Epistemology is concerned with the normative aspects of knowledge, such as what we ought to believe and how we ought to investigate and reason about what is the case. It develops a theory of doxastic agency, defends an account of the grip epistemic norms have on us, and proposes a meta-epistemological theory of epistemic discourse.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Epistemology is a multifaceted and intricate field that delves into the nature of knowledge, the analysis of concepts like "knows" and "justified," and the exploration of normative aspects of epistemology. It goes beyond mere understanding and seeks to address what we ought to believe and how we should investigate and reason about the world around us. This study is specifically focused on these normative dimensions of epistemology.

At its core, epistemology is concerned with the nature of epistemic norms and their relationship to the value of knowledge and the structure of cognitive agency. The first part of this exploration develops a theory of doxastic agency, which suggests that believers exercise agency in the ongoing activity of maintaining systems of belief. This agency involves the active selection, revision, and integration of beliefs based on the available evidence and reasoning. The second part delves into the grip that epistemic norms have on us and the nature of our epistemic values. It argues that epistemic norms play a crucial role in shaping our beliefs and attitudes, influencing how we interpret information, evaluate evidence, and make decisions. These norms are not just individual preferences or subjective judgments but are embedded in social and cultural contexts, shaping our interactions with others and our place within epistemic communities.

To further understand the role of epistemic norms, the third part proposes some foundations for a meta-epistemological theory of epistemic discourse. This theory recognizes that knowledge attributions are partly normative, meaning that they are not just descriptions of what is but also prescriptions for what we ought to believe or do. It suggests that epistemic discourse should be analyzed not only in terms of claims about what reality is like but also in terms of claims about what people ought to do, think, and feel. By taking seriously the idea that knowledge attributions are partly normative, epistemology can provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the nature of knowledge and the role of normative considerations in our epistemic practices.

In conclusion, epistemology is a rich and complex field that explores the nature of knowledge, the analysis of concepts, and the normative aspects of epistemology. It seeks to understand what we ought to believe, how we should investigate and reason about the world, and how epistemic norms shape our beliefs and actions. By developing a theory of doxastic agency, examining the grip of epistemic norms, and proposing a meta-epistemological theory of epistemic discourse, epistemology provides valuable insights into the nature of knowledge and the role of normative considerations in our epistemic practices.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 241 x 164 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192898852