Epistemology: Becoming Intellectually Virtuous
Overview
How do we know what we know? What have wisdom, prudence and studiousness to do with justifying our beliefs? Jay Wood begins this introduction to epistemology by taking an extended look at the idea of knowing within the context of the intellectual virtues. He then surveys current views of foundationalism, epistemic justification and reliabilism. Finally he examines the relationship of epistemology to religious belief, and the role of emotions and virtues in proper cognitive functioning. Professors will find this text, with its many examples drawn from everyday student experience, especially useful in introducing students to the formal study of epistemology.
Top Highlights
“We cannot be fully intellectually virtuous without also being morally virtuous. The converse is also true; we cannot succeed in the moral life without also displaying important intellectual virtues.” (Page 19)
“Intellectual virtues have received less attention: these include character traits such as wisdom, prudence, foresight, understanding, discernment, truthfulness and studiousness, among others. Here too are to be found their opposing vices: folly, obtuseness, gullibility, dishonesty, willful naiveté and vicious curiosity, to name a few.” (Page 16)
“A full study of the subject would require delving into the various sources of knowledge such as perception, memory and testimony, in addition to whatever faculties of understanding we may have that allow us to grasp truths independently of sense experiences.” (Page 15)
“and the causes to which we devote ourselves may also cause us to confront epistemological questions” (Page 11)
“before we begin thinking about our intellectual lives in a reflective way” (Page 79)
- Title: Epistemology: Becoming Intellectually Virtuous
- Author: W. Jay Wood
- Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 1998
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Knowledge, Theory of (Religion); Christianity › Philosophy
- ISBNs: 9780830875061, 9780877845225, 0830875069, 0877845220
- Resource ID: LLS:PSTMLGYBCMNVRTS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:29:47Z