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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.
216 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 23, 2018
To truly flourish as intellectual beings we must also flourish as both emotional and moral beings. Well said. There are many who point out that knowledge exists within a moral framework. Even the Tree of Knowledge is named for good and evil, rendering moral fortitude a necessity. What I liked most was Wood's emphasis on intellectual virtues: wisdom, prudence, foresight, understanding, discernment, truthfulness and studiousness, but this is also a great book for those wishing to learn about foundationalism, coherence theory, evidentialism, and reliabilism.
January 14, 2008
This was a really good book which incorporates epistemological virtues as a valuable part of a properly functioning epistemological agent. Since, as I would agree with the likes of John Frame, say, I believe that our knowing enterprise is a moral endeavor, the fact that we should take care to be certain kinds of cognitive agents is appealing. As appropriate cognitive agents we should be, argues Wood, inquisitive, teachable, attentive, persistent, and circumspect. Much like virtue ethics (which also has much to commend it), these traits should be sought after. They should characterize the agent’s epistemic life. That is, they should not be occasional traits. (You will notice the massive appeal to norms in epistemology. This, in turn, can be made into an argument from proper function. And that, in turn, can turn into a cognitive design argument. And that, in turn, can turn into an argument for theism - but I won't rehearse that here. So, you should see why I like the appeal to norms.) Wood then applies what he lays out in chapter two on the virtues to putative questions of importance in epistemology: foundationalism, coherentism, internalism, externalism, reliabilism, proper function, etc. This is a good book which can be used to develop a Christian approach to epistemology.
December 3, 2021
Jay Wood is an incredible author.
He grasp every theories' essence and shows its weaknesses and where his new proposed approach of virtue epistemology can consolidate the internalist and externalist theory of justification.
*Can be a bit hard to grasp, though; especially in the reliabilism chapter. But this chapter is a must.
He grasp every theories' essence and shows its weaknesses and where his new proposed approach of virtue epistemology can consolidate the internalist and externalist theory of justification.
*Can be a bit hard to grasp, though; especially in the reliabilism chapter. But this chapter is a must.
June 29, 2023
Good introduction. I liked the virtue epistemology perspective. If you just want the key terms defined, there are short essays you can find elsewhere, but his commentary here is good. I especially appreciated his discussions of Descartes, Reid, and Plantinga. Good and eclectic use of reliablism, coherentism, internalism, and externalism. Couple thoughts:
- Is it possible to be rational and deny the existence of God? What do we mean by rational? If God is true, how can we say others are being rational to deny his existence? Is not Van Til then correct that the very idea of God defines rationality so that atheists cannot be said to be rational? But then does this not enter us into an impenetrable circularity?
- How do we deal with this circularity? Wood seems to suggest that it is inescapable. How can we navigate disagreements on a public level?
- Is it possible to be rational and deny the existence of God? What do we mean by rational? If God is true, how can we say others are being rational to deny his existence? Is not Van Til then correct that the very idea of God defines rationality so that atheists cannot be said to be rational? But then does this not enter us into an impenetrable circularity?
- How do we deal with this circularity? Wood seems to suggest that it is inescapable. How can we navigate disagreements on a public level?
November 22, 2022
This is the best book of the series by far. Addresses some of key subjects in the realm of epistemology, but connects them to the Christian understanding of knowing not just what to believe, but what kind of people to become. An accessible and efficient summary of a discipline that is built on asking questions, this book is a welcome addition to anyone wanting to wade into the deep waters of “knowing.”
January 26, 2019
The ways we understand epistemology involve processing belief and abstraction, using our abilities to find evidence, coherence, reliability, and justification. But the author's best section was on the importance of affect, emotional input and virtue development in the cognitive processes. Very well done.
August 15, 2021
This was a phenomenal book. It introduces one to the deep caverns of epistemology without having the arcane trappings other philosophy books have. Wood does a profound job of making epistemological frameworks palatable for the layman, but rigorous enough to satisfy the intellect of the veteran. I heartily recommend this book the series it is a part in: Contours of Christian Philosophy.
December 13, 2020
I read the Logos edition. An interesting proposal related to the role of emotion in epistemology and the need for intellectual virtue, nicely rounding off me recent reading.
March 5, 2022
Interesting, if not dense, philosophical look at Christian epistemology focusing on how intellectual virtues, emotions, and moral virtues work together for a full and truly virtuous life.
Read
September 13, 2022read this instead of bonjour. more accessible
December 23, 2022
i enjoyed the first few chapters of this
then it got confusing because he was relaying other people's philosophies
then it got confusing because he was relaying other people's philosophies
February 12, 2023
Excessively wordy. That main points could have been covered in 1/4 the pages.
I like the approach and agree with his conclusions.
I like the approach and agree with his conclusions.
Read
October 31, 2023I read chapters 1, 4-7.
June 11, 2020
A highly readable and engaging survey of epistemology along with the author's emphasis on incorporating virtue into epistemology.
The author fully engages with the epistemological theories of the age from Descartes onward. Foundationalism, coherentism, reliabilism, Scottish common sense reasoning are all discussed thoroughly, the reasoning explained, the challenges probed.
The author discusses the ability to have knowledge in terms of religion, relying heavily on Plantinga with some critiques and making space for the power of the virtues in epistemology.
Highly recommended.
The author fully engages with the epistemological theories of the age from Descartes onward. Foundationalism, coherentism, reliabilism, Scottish common sense reasoning are all discussed thoroughly, the reasoning explained, the challenges probed.
The author discusses the ability to have knowledge in terms of religion, relying heavily on Plantinga with some critiques and making space for the power of the virtues in epistemology.
Highly recommended.
January 12, 2016
I had a good time reading this book. It was helpful to me as it put names to a lot of different ideas that I had.. It showed me the strengths and weaknesses of these different ideas in relation to the human quest for knowledge.
On a less personal reading I found the book to be a bit lacking in focus.
The first chapter is spent introducing the topic of epistemology and intellectual virtues, fair enough, the second on clearing up the field of discussion, okay.
The third chapter is actually about intellectual virtues which is fine and well.
Chapters 4,5 and 6 are about the different kinds of epistemology people might have (Foundationalism,Evidentialism, Coherentism, Reliabalism).
It is in chapter 6,in about 10pages, at the end of the chapter, that the book finally gets to the addressing how to have a theory of knowledge based on Virtue rather than internal or externalism. It then proceeds immediately into, what is basically application of the "system"in the context of religious belief and the function of emotion in the final two chapters.
So, while I enjoyed each chapter on its own, I can't say there was some central, main, super-duper important thing I got out of this book. Should it have been a bigger book? Or two books? Who knows.
I think a title that reflects my experience of the book would be "An introduction to epistemology & a bunch of stuff the author thinks is cool"
On a less personal reading I found the book to be a bit lacking in focus.
The first chapter is spent introducing the topic of epistemology and intellectual virtues, fair enough, the second on clearing up the field of discussion, okay.
The third chapter is actually about intellectual virtues which is fine and well.
Chapters 4,5 and 6 are about the different kinds of epistemology people might have (Foundationalism,Evidentialism, Coherentism, Reliabalism).
It is in chapter 6,in about 10pages, at the end of the chapter, that the book finally gets to the addressing how to have a theory of knowledge based on Virtue rather than internal or externalism. It then proceeds immediately into, what is basically application of the "system"in the context of religious belief and the function of emotion in the final two chapters.
So, while I enjoyed each chapter on its own, I can't say there was some central, main, super-duper important thing I got out of this book. Should it have been a bigger book? Or two books? Who knows.
I think a title that reflects my experience of the book would be "An introduction to epistemology & a bunch of stuff the author thinks is cool"
Read
July 24, 2011Epistemology is something that we all do, not just philosophers. We have beliefs, and we justify them. Or, we change them based upon evidence that seems compelling to us. And, the author argues, our beliefs are informed by intellectual virtue -- or vice.
This book argues for the case that epistemology has a moral and even spiritual dimension that is unavoidable. He reviews the major theories of knowledge, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. By looking at the problem of justifying the beliefs we hold (religious, political, interpersonal, etc.), he attempts to find a path that avoids the pitfalls of the others.
What we believe depends upon our upbringing, our community that we are a part of, our emotional habits and our moral purposes. Epistemology is not just about logic and evidence, although these are foundational (pun intended).
As a Christian, Wood insists that epistemology begin with God's intended purpose for man and his intellectual life. In this, he agrees with Carl F. H. Henry who argues that there are three ways knowing: evidence, logic and revelation.
This book argues for the case that epistemology has a moral and even spiritual dimension that is unavoidable. He reviews the major theories of knowledge, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. By looking at the problem of justifying the beliefs we hold (religious, political, interpersonal, etc.), he attempts to find a path that avoids the pitfalls of the others.
What we believe depends upon our upbringing, our community that we are a part of, our emotional habits and our moral purposes. Epistemology is not just about logic and evidence, although these are foundational (pun intended).
As a Christian, Wood insists that epistemology begin with God's intended purpose for man and his intellectual life. In this, he agrees with Carl F. H. Henry who argues that there are three ways knowing: evidence, logic and revelation.
August 9, 2014
Wood presents some interesting ideas, but doesn't explain epistemology (the study of knowledge) all that well. The main point of the book is found in the subtitle: Wood is more concerned about intellectual virtues and how they relate to our knowing. In short, in order to know the truth, one must be true. That is, one must first commit to certain virtues like honesty and diligence if one is to know anything accurately.
Wood also examines some views of epistemology such as strong and weak foundationalism, evidentialism and reliabilism, before advocating his own view: a virtue epistemology. In doing so, he actually dodges the question of how we can know anything, even how we know we should be honest and so forth. It would have been helpful if we had unpacked a Christian epistemology: we can reliably know the world because God has made both the world and our minds and bodies. Even though sin affects our ability to know (particularly by making us prone to intellectual vice and not virtue), knowledge is not impossible.
Wood also examines some views of epistemology such as strong and weak foundationalism, evidentialism and reliabilism, before advocating his own view: a virtue epistemology. In doing so, he actually dodges the question of how we can know anything, even how we know we should be honest and so forth. It would have been helpful if we had unpacked a Christian epistemology: we can reliably know the world because God has made both the world and our minds and bodies. Even though sin affects our ability to know (particularly by making us prone to intellectual vice and not virtue), knowledge is not impossible.
September 22, 2012
This book is an interesting exploration of how virtue epistemology can make up for the deficits of both internalist and externalist epistemplogies. The subtitle of the book "Becoming Intellectually Virtuous" is NOT accurate - this book doesn't provide any guidance at all on how you can develop the intellectual virtues. However it does highlight the role that intellectual virtues play in the acquisition of accurate knowledge. In the course of the book, the author also discusses the key roles that morality and emotion play in the life of the intellect. I personally found chapters 4 through 6 a bit of a harf slog (they discuss the merits and eficits of foundationalism, evidentialism and reliabilism) and I don't think that epistemology has ever successfully defended itself against Pyrrhonian Skepticism as found in Sextus Empiricus works. But the book was still a worthwhile read and opened my eyes to some ideas I hadn't previously considered.
December 8, 2015
Awesome overview of an entire epistemic worldview. Not only does W. Jay Wood elaborate on how ones worldview is rooted, but also gives great detail and concern for why it is so vital to care about epistemology. Though he comes from a Christian perspective, he evaluates moral and intellectual virtues fairly, and gives a comprehensive view of different possibilities, showing the strengths and weaknesses of the variety of views.
For anyone interested in learning why we should care about knowledge, virtue in general, or even why our purpose matters as humans, this is a fantastic book and a much easier read than most philosophical writings on epistemology.
Wood makes it very simple and is great at breaking it down and giving detailed explanations with great imagery and examples to help explain his points.
For anyone interested in learning why we should care about knowledge, virtue in general, or even why our purpose matters as humans, this is a fantastic book and a much easier read than most philosophical writings on epistemology.
Wood makes it very simple and is great at breaking it down and giving detailed explanations with great imagery and examples to help explain his points.
October 10, 2015
This was a really good book that taught me a lot about epistemology, and about the intellectual-virtue method of pursuing it. More than just teaching me good head knowledge about the current discussions in epistemology, however, it taught me how to become a more virtuous pursuer of the truth. There were a couple places in the book where Wood spoke on a level that was too technical for me to really understand. But the other parts of the book more than made up for the confusing bits.
Rating: 4-4.5 Stars (Excellent).
Rating: 4-4.5 Stars (Excellent).
January 26, 2012
This book came very close to four stars, I only give it three based on a few chapters that were lacking clarity. The final chapter did a great job on "wrapping up" the intent of the book - I only wish it had been longer.
June 1, 2012
Requires hard work. A somewhat easier and more rewarding read is a later book on the same subject author co-wrote with Robert C. Roberts: Intellectual Virtues: An Essay in Regulative Epistemology, which I review elsewhere on this site.
December 14, 2014
The and second chapters, along with the end of the seventh, and the whole of the eighth, were the best parts.
Good examples to explain philosophical concepts.
Ran into a street-sign while reading, go figure.
Good examples to explain philosophical concepts.
Ran into a street-sign while reading, go figure.
February 15, 2009
This is another one of my top twenty books, and an excellent supplement to Philosophical Foundations for a Christian World View.
April 23, 2012
AWFUL.
July 27, 2013
Excellent introduction to epistemology and a decent pointer to deeper literature on the subject. Author veers towards a virtue ethic towards the end. Nice interaction with Reid and Plantinga.
February 17, 2013
Decent intro
August 26, 2016
A needed approach to the topic. Looks at the interrelationship between knowledge and virtue or better yet true knowledge as virtue.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews