A Critical Introduction to Testimony

by Axel Gelfert

Overview

The epistemology of testimony is a rapidly developing area in contemporary analytic philosophy. In this first thorough survey of the recent debate on the subject, Axel Gelfert provides an in-depth introduction to what has become one of the liveliest debates in contemporary epistemology.

Covering existing literature and major debates, A Critical Introduction to Testimony discusses the epistemic status of testimony-based beliefs, relates changes to relevant developments in other areas and offers a critical perspective on current and future research trends. Devoting space to both the applications of social epistemology and the larger conceptual issues of knowledge, Gelfert not only introduces the epistemology of testimony; he offers an up-to-date introduction to epistemology. Equipped with a mix of study questions, examples, and suggestions for further reading, students of contemporary epistemology will find this a reliable guide to studying testimony as a source of knowledge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472569998
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	07/31/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	391 KB

About the Author

Axel Gelfert is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, National University of Singapore.
Axel Gelfert is Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy, National University of Singapore.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. What is Testimony?
2. The Testimonial Conundrum
3. Testimony, Perception, Memory, and Inference
4. Testimony and Evidence
5. Reductionism and Anti-Reductionism
6. Hybrid Theories of Testimony
7. Testimonial Knowledge: Transmission and Generation
8. Trust and Assurance
9. Expert Testimony
10. Pathologies of Testimony
11. Testimony and the Value of Knowledge
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Epistemology has often been viewed as a debate between raitonalists and empiricists. What's left out in these debates is, well, most everything, everything about the normal ways we come to know things - which involve other people. So it's a heartening thing to see epistemology taking a turban toward a rigorous analysis of "testimony" as a source of knowledge. In any case, Gelfert's book provides a careful, balanced introduction to an important discussion in contemporary epistemology.” —Peter Leithart, First Things

From the Publisher

Epistemology has often been viewed as a debate between raitonalists and empiricists. What's left out in these debates is, well, most everything, everything about the normal ways we come to know things - which involve other people. So it's a heartening thing to see epistemology taking a turn toward a rigorous analysis of "testimony" as a source of knowledge. In any case, Gelfert's book provides a careful, balanced introduction to an important discussion in contemporary epistemology.

First Things Peter Leithart