The Justificatory Force of Experiences: From a Phenomenological Epistemology to the Foundations of Mathematics and Physics

This book provides a phenomenological approach to experiential justification, explaining why certain experiences are immediate sources of justification and how they contribute to scientific knowledge. By utilizing methods and insights from the phenomenological tradition, it offers a comprehensive picture of how we can epistemically ground the individual sciences and re-evaluate the relevance of Husserlian phenomenology to current analytic epistemology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 371 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book presents a phenomenological perspective on experiential justification, aiming to shed light on why certain experiences provide immediate justification and how they contribute to the acquisition of scientific knowledge. Drawing from the author's account of experiential justification, this book showcases how a phenomenological experience-first epistemology can provide epistemic grounding for individual sciences. In more detail, it offers a comprehensive account of how we move from epistemology to the foundations of mathematics and physics. What sets this book apart is its utilization of methods and insights from the phenomenological tradition to advance current analytic epistemology. It serves as a valuable starting point for re-evaluating the relevance of Husserlian phenomenology to contemporary analytic epistemology and making significant strides toward fostering fruitful discussions in the future. This is accomplished by exemplifying how current debates can benefit from ideas, insights, and methods found within the phenomenological tradition.

Introduction:
Experiential justification plays a crucial role in our understanding of knowledge acquisition. It refers to the process by which we come to believe that our experiences are reliable and trustworthy sources of information. This book aims to provide a phenomenological conception of experiential justification that seeks to clarify why certain experiences are a source of immediate justification and what role experiences play in gaining (scientific) knowledge.

Author's Account of Experiential Justification:
The author of this book offers a detailed account of experiential justification, drawing from various philosophical traditions and empirical research. According to the author, experiential justification is not merely a subjective or intuitive process, but rather a rational and systematic one. The author argues that certain experiences, such as perceptual experiences, are a source of immediate justification because they provide us with direct access to the world around us. These experiences are not only reliable but also trustworthy, as they are not influenced by our beliefs, desires, or other cognitive processes.

Epistemological Grounding of Individual Sciences:
One of the key contributions of this book is its demonstration of how a phenomenological experience-first epistemology can epistemically ground the individual sciences. The author argues that the individual sciences, such as mathematics and physics, can be understood as extensions of our perceptual experiences. By adopting a phenomenological perspective, we can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of these sciences and their foundations.

Comprehensive Picture of How We Get from Epistemology to the Foundations of Mathematics and Physics:
The book provides a comprehensive picture of how we move from epistemology to the foundations of mathematics and physics. The author explains how our perceptual experiences provide the initial basis for our scientific knowledge, and how these experiences are further refined and developed through the use of logical reasoning and empirical evidence. The book also discusses the role of mathematics and physics in shaping our understanding of the natural world and the universe.

Unique Approach:
What sets this book apart is its unique approach to phenomenology and epistemology. The author utilizes methods and insights from the phenomenological tradition to make progress in current analytic epistemology. Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the study of human experiences and their meaning. By integrating phenomenological ideas into epistemology, the author aims to provide a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge acquisition.

Re-evaluating the Relevance of Husserlian Phenomenology:
The book also serves as a starting point for re-evaluating the relevance of Husserlian phenomenology to current analytic epistemology. Husserlian phenomenology is a philosophical tradition that emphasizes the study of consciousness and its relationship to the world. The author argues that phenomenology can provide valuable insights into the nature of knowledge acquisition and the role of experiences in shaping our understanding of the world.

Fostering Future Discussions:
The book aims to foster future discussions between phenomenologists and epistemologists by providing a common ground for understanding and collaboration. The author hopes that this book will serve as a catalyst for further research and exploration in the field of epistemology and phenomenology, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of human knowledge and its foundations.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers a phenomenological conception of experiential justification that seeks to clarify why certain experiences are a source of immediate justification and what role experiences play in gaining (scientific) knowledge. By utilizing methods and insights from the phenomenological tradition, the author provides a comprehensive account of how we move from epistemology to the foundations of mathematics and physics. The book serves as a valuable starting point for re-evaluating the relevance of Husserlian phenomenology to contemporary analytic epistemology and fostering fruitful discussions in the future.

Weight: 605g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030961152
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022