Knowledge of the External World

by Bruce Aune

Overview

Many philosophers believe that the traditional problem of our knowledge of the external world was dissolved by Wittgestein and others. They argue that it was not really a problem - just a linguistic ‘confusion' that did not actually require a solution. Bruce Aune argues that they are wrong. He casts doubt on the generally accepted reasons for putting the problem aside and proposes an entirely new approach. By considering the history of the problem from Descartes to Kant, Aune shows that analogous arguments create difficulties for the contemporary philosophical consensus. He makes it clear that the problem remains acute, particualarly for our understanding of scientific evidence. The solution he proposes draws upon contemporary philosophy of science and probability theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415047470
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/27/1991
Series:	Problems of Philosophy
Edition description:	ANN
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Bruce Aune

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements, I Descartes, II Locke and Berkeley, III Hume and Solipsism, IV Kant and Phenomenalism, V A New Start, VI Reforming Empiricism, VII The External World, Appendix, Notes, Bibliography, Index

Editorial Reviews

‘ ... a clear and sustained empiricist approach to the problem.' - TLS

From the Publisher