Epistemology extended

Kelp, C. (2014) Epistemology extended. Philosophical Issues, 24, pp. 230-252. (doi: 10.1111/phis.12032)

Abstract

A common presupposition in epistemology is that the processes contributing to the generation of knowledge do not extend beyond the knower's skin. This paper challenges this presupposition. I adduce a novel kind case that causes trouble for a number of even the most promising accounts of knowledge in current literature (virtue epistemological and modal accounts), at least so long as the presupposition is in place. I then look at a couple of recent accounts of knowledge that drop the presupposition and expressly allow the relevant processes to extended beyond the knower's skin. While these accounts can handle the problem case, they encounter difficulties elsewhere: extension occurs too easily and so the accounts predict knowledge where they ought not. Finally, I offer a novel way of extending epistemology and argue that it can steer clear of the problems on both sides.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kelp, Professor Christoph
• Authors: Kelp, C.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Philosophical Issues
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1533-6077
• ISSN (Online): 1758-2237
• Published Online: 23 September 2014
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
• First Published: First published in Philosophical Issues 24: 230-252
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy