EVIDENCE AND
INQUIRY
Towards Reconstruction in Epistemology
SUSAN HAACK
"This book is at once a fine introduction and a significant contribution to
contemporary epistemology. In addition to elaborating and persuasively
defending a position ofher own which adroitly steers between the Scylla
ofapriorism and the Charybdis ofscientism, Susan Haack discusses and
makes powerful and highly detailed criticism ofthe views ofa range of
contemporary philosophers-Sir Karl Popper, W. V.
O.
Quine, Hichard
Horty, Alvin Goldman, and Paul and Patricia Churchland, among others–
criticisms to which these philosophers and their numerous admirers will
have to reply.
"
-Hilary Putnam, Harvard University
·Susan Haack's book is a most impressive contribution to the recent revival
ofepistemology. It is at once comprehensive-both in the range of
problems that it deals with and in the wealth of recent discussion that
it
examines-6ndjudicious-in the care with which things onen confused
are discriminated and with which conclusions are kept firmly in touch
with the reasons that support them. Susan Haack's demolition of various
forms of fashionable relativism is admirably effective. I was pleased to
discover that I have, without realizing it, always been some kind of
foundherentist.
"
-Anthony Quinton, Trinity College, Oxford
·Susan Haack here offers a new look at traditional theory ofknowledge.
She knows the subject well and proposes reasonable and original solutions
to its problems. The book is forceful and refreshing and very much worth
the attention ofanyone who is interested in epistemology. "
-Roderick
M.
Chisholm, Brown University
·1 read Susan Haack's book with both pleasure and pronto
It
contains a
uniquely thorough critique ofstandard epistemological theories and of
more recent attempts (e.g., Horty's) to discredit,
or
replace, the whole
analytical enterprise. The failures oftraditional foundationalist and
coherence accounts are plainly displayed and a satisfying synthesis of the
legitimate elements in both is achieved. The whole is done with an
exemplary clarity.
"
-Sir Peter Strawson, Magdalen College, Oxford
November
6
x
9
320 pages
0-63/-1185/-9 hardcover
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