Problems of Knowledge A Critical Introduction to Epistemology

What is epistemology or "the theory of knowledge?" What is it really about? Why does it matter? What makes theorizing about knowledge "philosophical?" Why do some philosophers argue that epistemology--perhaps even philosophy itself--is dead?
In this succinct, exciting, and original introduction to epistemology, Michael Williams explains and criticizes philosophical theories of the nature, limits, methods, possibility, and value of knowing. A coherent and progressive text, Problems of Knowledge covers both traditional and contemporary approaches to the subject, including foundationalism, the coherence theory, and "naturalistic" theories. As an alternative to these perspectives, Williams defends his own distinctive contextualist approach. Problems of Knowledge provides clear and engaging explanations of the theory of knowledge and why it matters, offering an excellent foundation for students in introductory epistemology courses.

What is epistemology or 'the theory of knowledge'? What is it really about? Why does it matter? What makes theorising about knowledge 'philosophical'? Why do some philosophers argue that epistemology - perhaps even philosophy itself - is dead? In this exciting and original introduction, Michael Williams shows how epistemological theorizing is sensitive to a range of questions about the nature, limits, methods, and value of knowing. He pays special attention to the challenge of philosophical scepticism: does our 'knowledge' rest on brute assumptions? Does the rational outlook undermine itself? Williams explains and criticises all the main contemporary philopsophical perspectives on human knowledge, such as foundationalism, the coherence theory, and 'naturalistic' theories. As an alternative to all of them, he defends his distinctive contextualist approach. While accessible to the undergraduate and general reader, this book contains Williams' own original ideas and is essential reading for all philosophers concerned with the theory of knowledge.

1 - The Standard Analysis
2 - Knowledge without Evidence
3 - Two Ideals
4 - Unstable Knowledge
5 - Agrippa's Trilemma
6 - Experience and Reality
7 - Foundations
8 - The Problem of the Basis
9 - Reduction and Inference
10 - Coherence
11 - The Myth of the System
12 - Realism and Truth
13 - Evidence and Entitlement
14 - Knowledge in Context
15 - Seeing and Knowing
16 - Scepticism and Epistemic Priority
17 - Induction
18 - Projection and Conjecture
19 - Relativism
20 - Objectivity and Progress

Michael Williams is Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. He has previously held positions at Yale, the University of Maryland, and Northwestern.