The Oxford Handbook of SkepticismJohn Greco In the history of philosophical thought, few themes loom as large as skepticism. Skepticism has been the most visible and important part of debates about knowledge. Skepticism at its most basic questions our cognitive achievements, challenges our ability to obtain reliable knowledge; casting doubt on our attempts to seek and understand the truth about everything from ethics, to other minds, religious belief, and even the underlying structure of matter and reality. Since Descartes, the defense of knowledge against skepticism has been one of the primary tasks not just of epistemology but philosophy itself. The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism features twenty-six newly commissioned chapters by top figures in the field. Part One contains articles explaining important kinds of skeptical reasoning. Part Two focuses on responses to skeptical arguments. Part Three concentrates on important contemporary issues revolving around skepticism. As the first volume of its kind, the articles make significant contributions to the debate on skepticism. |
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ability accept according actually alternative answer appear argue argument basis belief Cambridge challenge claim closure cognitive conception concerning conclusion consider context correct deny depends Descartes discussion distinction doubt epistemic epistemology error evidence example existence experience explain external external world externalist fact false give given God’s grounds hand hold human Hume Hume’s hypothesis idea induction inference intuitive involves judgment justified kind knowledge least live look matter means mind moral nature noted objects offer one’s ordinary Oxford particular perceptual perhaps person philosophical position possible practice premise present principle priori problem proposition question radical realism reality reason reflection regarding reject relation relativism relevant reliable requires response rule seems self-evident sense simply skeptical arguments skepticism sort standards suggests suppose theory things thought true truth understanding University Press