Epistemology

Becoming Intellectually Virtuous

W. Jay Wood

An imprint of InterVarsity Press

Downers Grove Illinois

InterVarsity Press

P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426

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©1998 by W. Jay Wood

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from InterVarsity Press.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-8308-7506-1 (digital)

ISBN 978-0-87784-522-5 (print)

Contours of Christian Philosophy

C. STEPHEN EVANS, Series Editor

Contents

Preface

1 The Nature of Epistemology

1.1 When Do Epistemological Questions Arise?

1.2 Epistemology and the Pursuit of Intellectual Virtues

1.3 The Christian and Intellectual Virtues

1.4 Doing Epistemology As If Virtue Mattered

1.5 Is Everyone Called to Pursue the Intellectual Virtues?

2 Exploring the Intellectual Virtues

2.1 Types of Intellectual Virtue

2.2 The Structure of Intellectual Virtues

2.3 Epistemology, Virtue and Responsibility

3 An Extended Look at Some Intellectual Virtues

3.1 Studiousness and Vicious Curiosity

3.2 Intellectual Honesty and Dishonesty

3.3 Wisdom and Folly

3.4 The Relationship Between Ancient and Modern and Contemporary Epistemological Concerns

4 Foundationalism

4.1 The Motivation for Foundationalism

4.2 The Rudiments of Foundationalism

4.3 Strong Foundationalism

4.4 Problems with Strong Foundationalism

4.5 Modest Foundationalism

5 Epistemic Justification

5.1 Evidentialism

5.2 Coherentism

5.3 Keith Lehrer’s Coherence Theory

6 Reliabilism

6.1 Objections to Reliabilism

6.2 Virtue Epistemology and the Internalism-Externalism Debate

7 Epistemology & Religious Belief

7.1 Internalism and the Justification of Theism

7.2 Externalism and the Justification of Theism

7.3 Reformed Epistemology

8 The Role of Emotions & Virtues in Proper Cognitive Functioning

8.1 How Emotions Assist Good Thinking

8.2 Emotions, Intellectual Virtues and Religious Belief

8.3 Transformative Emotional Experiences

Suggestions for Further Reading

Names Index

Subject Index

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About Epistemology: Becoming Intellectually Virtuous

How do we know what we know? What have wisdom, prudence and studiousness to do with justifying our beliefs? Jay Wood begins this introduction to epistemology by taking an extended look at the idea of knowing within the context of the intellectual virtues. He then surveys current views of foundationalism, epistemic justification and reliabilism. Finally he examines the relationship of epistemology to religious belief, and the role of emotions and virtues in proper cognitive functioning.

Professors will find this text, with its many examples drawn from everyday student experience, especially useful in introducing students to the formal study of epistemology.

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