Knowledge in a Social World by Alvin I Goldman

Knowledge in a Social World by Alvin I Goldman

Knowledge in a Social World offers a philosophy for the information age. Alvin Goldman explores new frontiers by creating a thoroughgoing social epistemology, moving beyond the traditional focus on solitary knowers. Social, cultural, and technological changes present new challenges to our ways of knowing and understanding, and philosophy must face these challenges. Against the tides of postmodernism and social constructionism Goldman defends the integrity of truth and shows how to promote it by well-designed forms of social interaction. He urges that social discourse promises more than the mere politics of consensus, and that suitably norm-governed debate and belief-revision can increase veridical knowledge. Goldman's aims are not just philosophical but practical. From science to education, from law to democracy, he shows why and how public institutions should seek knowledge-enhancing practices. He examines how cyberspace and other technologies expand the scope of communication, and warns of the need to safeguard content quality. He scrutinizes the free marketplace of ideas, the adversary system in the law, and media coverage of political campaigns. The result is a bold, timely, and systematic treatment of the philosophical foundations of an information society.

The scope of Goldman's discussion and the characteristic clarity with which he approaches the issues make this book the first classic in the field* Philosophy and Phenomenological Research *
... this is a valuable book that includes interesting discussions. * Philosophy of Science *
... a comprehensive presentation of Goldman's views on social epistemology. * Philosophy of Science *
There is no denying that Knowledge in a Social World is a tour de force: wide-ranging, ambitious and challenging. It is engagingly written: non-technical, exceedingly clear, and witty ... a must-read. * Argumentation *
Knowledge in a Social World offers a systematic treatment of social epistemology. It is original not only in substance but in conception, opening up whole new avenues of epistemological investigation. * Argumentation *
An important work of monumental scope ... It may well be the most significant interdisciplinary philosophy book of the decade. * Jules Coleman, Yale Law School *
Knowledge in a Social World by Alvin I. Goldman is one of the most recent contributions to the field (of the philosophy of information), and a very welcome one too. * Luciano Floridi, Times Literary Supplement *

Alvin I. Goldman is one of the world's foremost epistemologists; he is Regents Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona, and a Past President of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780198238201
ISBN 10	0198238207
Title	Knowledge in a Social World
Author	Alvin I Goldman
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Year published	1999-01-14
Number of pages	422
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.