Reasons First

Reviews / Votes

Mark Schroeder develops a compelling version of reasons first epistemology, showing that epistemology has much to gain from adopting it * Robert Talisse, New Books Network * superlative and ambitious . . . There is much in the book that I have not thus far commented on, and much that I have only given the barest attention. This is sadly unavoidable given the sheer number of interesting and insightful arguments and theses that Schroeder propounds and discusses. My advice is to read the book. * Stephen Kearns, Mind * Mark Schroeder provides the best account yet of a reasons first approach to normativity in general. He successfully demonstrates that by paying close attention to the study of reasons in ethics, epistemologists can improve their understanding of the nature of epistemic reasons, rationality, and knowledge. This is a carefully argued and well-structured book that will be an enjoyable, illuminating read for both students and experts. * Daniel Star, Boston University * Reasons First pursues a bold and systematic program of a kind rare in contemporary philosophy: to use the notion of a reason-not ought or good-as the bedrock of normative theorizing. Schroeder demonstrates the surprising fruitfulness of this program for epistemology. Marshalling a general theory of reasons, together with an independently plausible account of belief, he elegantly explains a broad range of facts about epistemic rationality, including its puzzling sensitivity to the availability of further evidence and the costs of error. The book is a major event for philosophy generally and for epistemology in particular. * Matthew McGrath, Rutgers University * Schroeder presents an ambitious, important innovation in epistemology, an innovation he describes as "the core hypothesis." * S. A. Mason, Concordia University, Choice Connect * Reasons First offers a comprehensive account of reasons and beliefs. Schroeder's penetrating arguments take lessons from the role of reasons in ethics to develop a sophisticated account of their relation to rationality, knowledge, and justification. Along the way, Schroeder develops many subtle distinctions and considerations. The book is a tour de force, written with Schroeder's characteristic skill and verve. It will be a significant resource for epistemologists for years to come. * Juan Comesana and Susanna Schellenberg, Philosophical Studies * In his highly illuminating new book, Reasons First, Mark Schroeder shows us something of great importance. He takes the "Reasons First" program that has been so influential in ethics, and shows us what is the best way to extend this program from ethics to epistemology. This is important because if the Reasons First program is true at all, it should be true of epistemology as well as ethics * Ralph Wedgwood, Philosophical Studies *