Ignorance: A Philosophical Study

Ignorance: A Philosophical Study explores the concept of ignorance in philosophy, focusing on its different dimensions and varieties. It was only in the 1960s and 70s that ignorance became a topic of concern, with specific fields like agnotology, philosophy of race, and feminist philosophy emerging. Rik Peels provides a comprehensive epistemology of ignorance and applies it to various philosophical issues, such as the types of ignorance, propositional ignorance, group ignorance, strategic ignorance, white ignorance, excuses, culpability, and the role of ignorance in education.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Ignorance, a complex and multifaceted concept, has received limited attention from philosophers in comparison to other epistemological concepts such as belief, knowledge, and understanding. While philosophers have delved into these areas, ignorance has often been overlooked. However, in the 1960s and 70s, a renewed interest in ignorance emerged, driven by the emergence of agnotology, philosophy of race, and feminist philosophy. These fields initially focused on specific aspects of ignorance, such as its properties and implications, rather than ignorance itself.

Enter Rik Peels, a philosopher who offers a comprehensive epistemology of ignorance. In his work, Peels explores various dimensions of ignorance, including its types, characteristics, and consequences. He questions what constitutes ignorance of a proposition, the different forms of propositional ignorance, group ignorance, the extent to which ignorance can occur in degrees, strategic ignorance, white ignorance, the excuses that ignorance provides, and when ignorance can be considered culpable.

Peels' exploration is relevant to philosophers across epistemology, ethics, philosophy of language, philosophy of science, and other disciplines. His work provides a deep and nuanced understanding of ignorance, challenging traditional views and opening up new avenues for research and discussion. By examining ignorance from various perspectives, Peels contributes to our understanding of knowledge, belief, and understanding, and sheds light on the complexities of human cognition and the role of ignorance in our lives.

In conclusion, Ignorance: A Philosophical Study by Rik Peels provides a comprehensive exploration of ignorance in its many dimensions. By offering a full-on epistemology of ignorance, Peels challenges traditional views and opens up new avenues for research and discussion. His work is relevant to philosophers across epistemology, ethics, and other disciplines, and contributes to our understanding of knowledge, belief, and understanding.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 217 x 145 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197654514