
Real Knowing
New Versions of the Coherence Theory
Linda Martin Alcoff(Author)
Cornell University Press
Published on 21. August 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
252 pages
978-0-8014-7481-1 (ISBN)
Description
"Real" knowing always involves a political dimension, Linda Martin Alcoff suggests. But this does not mean we need to give up realism or the possibility of truth. Recent work in continental philosophy insists on the influence that power and desire exert on knowing, whereas contemporary analytic philosophy largely ignores these political concerns in its accounts of justification and truth. Alcoff engages these traditionally conflicting approaches in a constructive dialogue, effectively spanning the analytic/continental divide.
In provocative readings of major figures in the continental tradition, Alcoff shows that the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Michel Foucault can help rectify key problems in coherence epistemology, such as the link between coherence and truth. She also argues that discussions about knowledge among continental philosophers can benefit from the work of analytic philosophers Donald Davidson and Hilary Putnam on meaning and ontology.
Alcoff makes a compelling case for the need to address truth as a metaphysical issue, in contrast to minimalist tendencies in Anglo-American philosophy and deconstructionism on the continent. Her work persuasively argues for coherentist epistemology as a more realistic reconfiguration of the ontology of truth.
In provocative readings of major figures in the continental tradition, Alcoff shows that the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Michel Foucault can help rectify key problems in coherence epistemology, such as the link between coherence and truth. She also argues that discussions about knowledge among continental philosophers can benefit from the work of analytic philosophers Donald Davidson and Hilary Putnam on meaning and ontology.
Alcoff makes a compelling case for the need to address truth as a metaphysical issue, in contrast to minimalist tendencies in Anglo-American philosophy and deconstructionism on the continent. Her work persuasively argues for coherentist epistemology as a more realistic reconfiguration of the ontology of truth.
Reviews / Votes
A truly impressive scholarly achievement. For those who are interested in seeing how Gadamer and Foucault connect with Davidson and Putnam, Real Knowing is a rewarding and illuminating read.- Matthias Steup (Philosophy and Phenomenological Research) This is a timely contribution to a fast-growing body of research in 'social epistemology,' a field drawing the attention of philosophers, sociologists of knowledge, social constructionists, and others.
- James Wong (Hypatia)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ithaca
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8014-7481-1 (9780801474811)
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E-Book
10/2018
1st Edition
Cornell University Press
€162.99
Available for download
Person
Linda Martin Alcoff is Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies and Director of Women's Studies at Syracuse University. She is the author of Singing in the Fire, Thinking from the Underside of History, Identities, Epistemology, and Visible Identities: Race, Gender, and the Self.