Philosophy After Objectivity: Making Sense in Perspective - Softcover

Moser, Paul K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195130944 ISBN 13: 9780195130942

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Philosophers have traditionally sought objective knowledge: knowledge of things whose existence does not depend on one's conceiving of them. Philosophy After Objectivity uses lessons from debates over objective knowledge to characterize the kinds of reasons pertinent to philosophical and other theoretical views. It argues that we cannot meet skeptics' typical demands for non-question begging support for claims to objective truth, and that, therefore, we should not regard our supporting reasons as resistant to skeptical challenges.

About this title

Review

This book is an excellent and wide-ranging work that tackles deep issues in metaphilosophy, and brings to certain "postmodern" themes the precision and clarity of an outstanding analytic philosopher. (The Philosophical Review)

This carefully reasoned book deserves a place in graduate collections. (American Library Association)

Moser's book should draw a large response. It deserves careful study by epistemologists, metaphysicians, and anyone interested in the philosophy of language. (The Review of Metaphysics)

From the Back Cover

Since the beginning of philosophy, philosophers have sought objective knowledge: knowledge of things whose existence does not depend on one's conceiving of them. Philosophy After Objectivity uses lessons from debates over objective knowledge to characterize the kinds of reasons pertinent to philosophical and other theoretical views. It argues that we cannot meet skeptics' typical demands for non-question begging support for claims to objective truth, and that therefore we should not regard our supporting reasons as resistant to skeptical challenges. One key lesson in this volume is that constructive, explanatory approach to philosophy must change the subject from skeptic-resistant reasons to perspectival reasons arising from variable semantic commitments and instrumental, purpose-relative considerations. The book lays foundations for such a reorientation of philosophy creating Fundamental methodological issues in ontology, epistemology, the theory of meaning, the philosophy of mind, and the theory of practical rationality. Philosophy After Objectivity explains how certain perennial debates in philosophy rest not on genuine disagreement, but on conceptual diversity: talk about different matters. The book shows how acknowledgment of conceptual diversity can resolve a range of traditional disputes in philosophy, and also explains why philosophers need not anchor their discipline in the physicalism of the natural sciences.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195130944
• ISBN 13: 9780195130942
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 282