
A Critical Introduction to Knowledge-First Epistemology
Arturs Logins(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 5. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
232 pages
978-1-350-46960-0 (ISBN)
Description
Presenting the main concepts and key assumptions of knowledge-first theses, Arturs Logins' authoritative and engaging introduction critically evaluates some of the most debated issues in recent epistemology. Initiated by Timothy Williamson's Knowledge and Its Limits, the approach ends attempts to analyse knowledge in terms of justified belief and instead adopts epistemological theorizing from knowledge as a fundamental starting point.
Logins assesses arguments for and against the knowledge-first approach, drawing on exciting developments and harsh criticisms put forward during the first quarter of the 21st century. Chapters engage with core topics concerning anti-luminosity, skepticism, self-knowledge, evidence, belief, norms of assertion and action, and recent innovations including hybrid knowledge-first approaches. Following a clear and logical thematic structure and aided by references, study questions and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, this is an essential resource for any student of contemporary epistemology looking to advance their understanding of the knowledge-first program.
Logins assesses arguments for and against the knowledge-first approach, drawing on exciting developments and harsh criticisms put forward during the first quarter of the 21st century. Chapters engage with core topics concerning anti-luminosity, skepticism, self-knowledge, evidence, belief, norms of assertion and action, and recent innovations including hybrid knowledge-first approaches. Following a clear and logical thematic structure and aided by references, study questions and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, this is an essential resource for any student of contemporary epistemology looking to advance their understanding of the knowledge-first program.
Reviews / Votes
Logins delivers an impressively clear and intellectually rigorous introduction to knowledge-first epistemology. His treatment of core debates-from anti-luminosity to the New Evil Demon Problem-succeeds in being both genuinely accessible to students and substantively valuable for specialists. -- J. Adam Carter * Professor of Philosophy, University of Glasgow, UK * This is an up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to knowledge-first epistemology, which successfully maps out the connections between different aspects and criticisms of the approach in a way that makes the issues accessible and exciting. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the epistemology of the 21st Century so far, and where it may be going next. -- Aidan McGlynn * Department of Philosophy, University of Edinburgh, UK * The knowledge-first program is a major development in contemporary epistemology. It is wide-ranging and has many consequences for the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of language, ontology, and logic. But it is often difficult to understand how radical it is, and how the various arguments discussed in the literature are related. Artu?rs Logins offers a clear, systematic, and up-to-date survey of the main tenets of knowledge-first epistemology and provides a guide to further developments. His excellent book will be invaluable for both newcomers and more advanced readers. -- Pascal Engel * Emeritus Director of Studies, School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences, France *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 157 mm
Width: 234 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
298 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-46960-0 (9781350469600)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Arturs Logins
A Critical Introduction to Knowledge-First Epistemology
E-Book
01/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€27.49
Available for download

Arturs Logins
A Critical Introduction to Knowledge-First Epistemology
E-Book
01/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€27.49
Available for download
Person
Arturs Logins is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Laval University, Canada
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Background motivation I: anti-analysis
2. Background motivation II: anti-internalism
3. Knowledge as a genuine mental state: mindreading and action explanation
4. Anti-Luminosity
5. Scepticism
6. Evidence and evidential probability
7. Assertion
8. Action
9. Belief
10. Justification
11. The New Evil Demon Problem and further normative properties
12. Mixed knowledge-first approaches
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Background motivation I: anti-analysis
2. Background motivation II: anti-internalism
3. Knowledge as a genuine mental state: mindreading and action explanation
4. Anti-Luminosity
5. Scepticism
6. Evidence and evidential probability
7. Assertion
8. Action
9. Belief
10. Justification
11. The New Evil Demon Problem and further normative properties
12. Mixed knowledge-first approaches