Theories of Knowledge
A Critical History - The Authority of Knowledge
Blackwell Publishers
Published on 6. May 1993
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-631-17514-8 (ISBN)
Description
This book introduces the issues of epistemology in their historical complexity by examining Francis Bacon's catalogue of the false sources of epistemic authority, the four idols. Successive chapters relate knowledge to language (idols of the market), speculation (idols of the theatre), perception (idols of the tribe) and social formations (idols of the cave). Placed back in its historical context epistemology is seen to be not a tradition which philosophy might leave behind, but an important part of the arena in which questions of cultural authority are worked out. Ancient Greek discussions of knowledge from Protagoras to Epicurus via Plato and Aristotle are introduced to illustrate the sense in which modern philosophy broke with ancient tradition while being at the same time conditioned by it. The Baconian vision was of human progress achieved through the acquisition of knowledge which makes domination of nature possible. The tensions inherent in this vision and the way in which they have worked to undermine it are illustrated by reference to the views of Kant and Hume and by tracing their consequences.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
glossary
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
495 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-631-17514-8 (9780631175148)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Plato and Bacon - two challenges to prevailing authority; idols of the tribe - perception and prejudice; idols of the theatre - metaphysics and the aim of enquiry; idols of the market-place - language and representation; idols of the cave - human science and human history.