What to Believe Now

Reviews / Votes

"With the possible exception of some of the introductorymaterial, however, everything in What To Believe Now is accessiblewithout a background in epistemology. Since it addresses topics ofconsiderable importance, it should command, if not a mass audience,then one that reaches well outside the narrow confines of academicphilosophy. Those particularly likely to find it useful includepolitical theorists, students of social networks, and perhaps somepolicy makers." (Danube Law & EconomicsReview, 1 December 2014) "All in all, an intelligent, accessible, and provocativebook that will encourage epistemologists to examine the real-worldimplications of their theories." (Philosophy inReview, 1 October 2014) "Overall, Coady's book is a well-organised andwell-conceived piece of philosophy that constitutes a powerful casefor the legitimacy of applying epistemology to contemporaryissues." (Journal of Applied Philosophy, 22October 2013)"This book implements an excellent idea. The idea is thatapplied epistemology is worth pursuing. Applied epistemology, likeapplied ethics, employs philosophical resources toward solvingreal-world problems. What To Believe Now defends provocativeviews... If the book encourages further work in appliedepistemology, then it will have accomplished considerablegood." (Earl Conee, Notre Dame PhilosophicalReviews, 1 January 2013) "Undoubtedly, this book will interest contemporaryepistemologists. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates throughresearchers/faculty." (Choice, 1 November2012) "Since it addresses topics of considerable importance, itshould command, if not a mass audience, then one that reaches welloutside the narrow confines of academic philosophy. Thoseparticularly likely to find it useful include political theorists,students of social networks, and perhaps some policymakers." (Danny Yee's Book Reviews, 2012)'What should we believe?' This is one of the core questions ofepistemology, but it is often discussed in the abstract as if itwere a question of purely theoretical interest arising for agentsliving nowhere and nowhen. David Coady takes epistemology out ofthe study and into the streets by asking what we (as citizens of a more-or-lessdemocratic societies) should believe now (in theearly 21st Century) about matters of political pith and moment. A fine book, a fun book, and a book which might actually do abit of good. Charles Pigden, University of Otago This original and accessible work advances applied epistemologywith vivid examples, and provocative and balanced commentary. Aterrific stimulus to reflection, discussion, and improved criticalthought about everyday issues. Jonathan Adler, The City University of New York