New Essays On The A Priori - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199241279 ISBN 13: 9780199241279

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2001

Synopsis

A stellar line-up of leading philosophers from around the world offer new treatments of a topic which has long been central to philosophical debate, and in which there has recently been a surge of interest. The a priori is the category of knowledge that is supposed to be independent of experience. The contributors offer a variety of approaches to the a priori and examine its role in different areas of philosophical inquiry. The editors' introduction offers an ideal way into the discussions.

About this title

Review:

This is a book which almost all philosophers will want to own. The essays are of a very high standard, and they deal with matters of considerable philosophical importance. In almost every way, the editors - and authors - should be congratulated for the fine work which they have done. (Australasian Journal of Philosophy)

This book is like a box of chocolates: once you've looked at the contents page, you know exactly what you're going to get - but this does not mean that the pleasure of consumption is in any way diminished . (Australasian Journal of Philosophy)

Helpful introduction ... The final paper to be considered, by Christopher Peacocke, is also the richest and most challenging ... truly essential reading for anyone with an interest in the a priori. (Mind)

Synopsis:

The topics of a priori knowledge and a priori justification have long played a prominent part in epistemology and the theory of meaning. Recently there has been a surge of interest in the proper explication of these notions. These newly commissioned essays, by a distinguished, international group of philosophers, will have a substantial influence on later work in this area. They discuss the relations of the a priori to meaning, justification, definition and ontology; they consider the role of the notion in Leibniz, Kant, Frege and Wittgenstein; and they address its role in recent discussions in the philosophy of mind. Particular attention is also paid to the a priori in logic, science and mathematics. The authors exhibit a wide variety of approaches, some remaining sceptical of the notion itself, some proposing that it receive a non-factualist treatment, and others proposing novel ways of explicating and defending it. The editors' Introduction provides a helpful route into the issues.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0199241279
• ISBN 13: 9780199241279
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 492
• Editor: Boghossian Paul