Skepticism: The Basics

Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book introduces students and other interested readers to the philosophical study of skepticism, a central and long-standing subject in philosophy. The first three chapters cover knowledge, providing the necessary foundation for introducing skepticism in the book's final three chapters. Throughout, the volume addresses basic questions in these two areas, such as:\n--What are the differences between the three types of knowledge: direct knowledge, knowledge by ability, and propositional knowledge? \n--What is the Gettier problem and why does it resist easy solutions? \n--Why do philosophers still talk about Ren\u00E9 Descartes\u2019 techniques for raising doubts about what we can know but have largely forgotten Descartes\u2019 attempts to answer these doubts? \n--How do we know that we\u2019re not just brains in a vat? \n--Is Pyrrhonian skepticism\u2014the idea that we know absolutely nothing\u2014ultimately self-refuting? \nWith a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further .