The nature and value of knowledge

About this book

"'The culmination of long collaboration, this tryptich combines the latest by three outstanding contributors. The outcome is three illuminating panels on knowledge, its nature and value, and in one case more specifically on self-knowledge. Anyone with an interest in these topics will want to read this book, and others who read it are likely soon to acquire an interest.'-Ernest Sosa, Board of Governors Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers University" "'Pritchard's discussion of the nature and value of knowledge is first-rate. His framing of the various problems around the value of knowledge significantly advances current discussion of the relevant issues, to the point that, in my opinion, it is far and away the best available. Millar's discussion of the epistemology of testimony draws from his earlier work on understanding language and action, and is also neatly integrated into his accounts of perceptual knowledge and indicator knowledge in earlier chapters. This discussion is also very interesting. His arguments against reductionism, and his own anti-reductionist approach, are original and compelling. Haddock's contribution is a very interesting discussion that merits attention.'-John Greco, Leonard and Elizabeth Eslick Chair in Philosophy, Saint Louis University." "'The Nature and Value of Knowledge is an excellent book for those interested in either topic mentioned in the title. As one would expect, the issues of the nature and value of knowledge are deeply intertwined, and all three investigations undertaken in the book respect this fact. Indeed, each author has much original to say about both. What makes this book truly unique is that it is focused on two closely related topics, yet at the same time it encompasses a multiplicity of perspectives, in terms of philosophical method, substance and style. Anyone interested specifically in the issue of the value of knowledge would do well to read it. It's an added bonus that there are worthy contributions to the much larger literature on the nature of knowledge as well.'-Wayne Riggs, University of Oklahoma" "This volume comprises three distinct investigations into the relationship between the nature and the value of knowledge. Each is written by one of the authors in consultation with the other two. 'Knowledge and Understanding' (by Duncan Pritchard) critically examines virtue-theoretic responses to the problem of the value of knowledge, and argues that the finally valuable cognitive state is not knowledge but understanding. 'Knowledge and Recognition' (by Alan Millar) develops an account of knowledge in which the idea of a recognitional ability plays a prominent role, and argues that this account enables us better to understand knowledge and its value. 'Knowledge and Action" by Adrian Haddock argues for an account. Of knowledge and justification which explains why certain species of knowledge are valuable, and enables us to make sense of the knowledge we have of our intentional actions."--Jacket.