Overview

"The ancient Pyrrhonians skeptics suspended judgment about all philosophical views. Their main opponents were the Dogmatists—those who believed their preferred philosophical views. In Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism: On Disbelieving Our Philosophical Views, Mark Walker argues, contra Pyrrhonians and Dogmatists, for a ""darker"" skepticism: we should disbelieve our philosophical views. On the question of political morality, for example, we should disbelieve libertarianism, conservativism, socialism, liberalism, and any alternative ideologies. Since most humans have beliefs about philosophical subject matter, such as beliefs about religious and political matters, humanity writ large should disbelieve their preferred philosophical views. Walker argues that Skeptical-Dogmatism permits a more realistic estimation of our epistemic powers. Dogmatists who believe their view is correct, while believing that two or more competitor views of their opponents are false, must—at least implicitly—take themselves to be “über epistemic superiors” to their disagreeing colleagues. Such a self-assessment is as implausible as it is hubristic. Skeptical-Dogmatism, in contrast, permits a more realistic and humbler epistemic self-conception. The author also shows that there are no insuperable practical difficulties in living as a Skeptical-Dogmatist."

Full Product Details

Author:   Mark Walker
Publisher:   Lexington Books
Imprint:   Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Dimensions:   Width: 15.90cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 23.90cm
Weight:   0.603kg
ISBN:  

9781666918885

ISBN 10:   1666918881
Pages:   330
Publication Date:   15 December 2023
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Introduction Part I: Skeptical-Dogmatism Chapter 1: A Paradox About Our Epistemic Self-Conception: Are You an Über Epistemic Superior? Chapter 2: Na-Na, Na-Na, Boo-Boo, the Accuracy of Your Philosophical Beliefs is Doo-Doo Chapter 3: Noetic Skepticism Chapter 4: Skeptical-Dogmatism and the External World Chapter 5: Skeptical-Dogmatism and the Self-Undermining Objection Part II: Against Skepticism and Dogmatism Chapter 6: Against Skepticism Chapter 7: Against Egalitarian Dogmatism Chapter 8: Against Elitist Dogmatism Chapter 9: The Ethics of Philosophical Belief Part III: The Life of a Skeptical-Dogmatist Chapter 10: The Lives of Skeptical-Dogmatists Chapter 11: Philosophizing and Skeptical-Dogmatism Chapter 12: Creative Gadflies

Reviews

"Recent times have seen an explosion of interest in the epistemic significance of disagreement. Drawing inspiration from Socrates and the ancient Pyrrhonists, Mark Walker's new book contributes to the current epistemological debate on how one should react to disagreement by proposing a novel and provocative answer: in many multi-proposition philosophical disputes, each view should be deemed to be probably false. Since not only philosophers but also most laypersons hold philosophical views that have multiple competitors, Walker's ""skeptical-dogmatism"" recommends a radical change in our attitude towards a centrally important set of our beliefs. Outlines of Skeptical Dogmatism is original, bold, learned, insightful, and readable. --Diego E. Machuca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas This book reveals an author who is not afraid to range broadly, both historically and thematically, and has thus gained a deep appreciation of the problems that persistent and pervasive disagreement poses to philosophical ambitions. Walker's work lays out some of those problems with patience and care, but also with verve and vigor. Readers will find many insights and arguments that reward the careful attention that they require. --Ernest Sosa, Rutgers University"

"Recent times have seen an explosion of interest in the epistemic significance of disagreement. Drawing inspiration from Socrates and the ancient Pyrrhonists, Mark Walker's new book contributes to the current epistemological debate on how one should react to disagreement by proposing a novel and provocative answer: in many multi-proposition philosophical disputes, each view should be deemed to be probably false. Since not only philosophers but also most laypersons hold philosophical views that have multiple competitors, Walker's ""skeptical-dogmatism"" recommends a radical change in our attitude towards a centrally important set of our beliefs. Outlines of Skeptical Dogmatism is original, bold, learned, insightful, and readable. This book reveals an author who is not afraid to range broadly, both historically and thematically, and has thus gained a deep appreciation of the problems that persistent and pervasive disagreement poses to philosophical ambitions. Walker's work lays out some of those problems with patience and care, but also with verve and vigor. Readers will find many insights and arguments that reward the careful attention that they require."

Author Information

Mark Walker is professor in the philosophy department at New Mexico State University.

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