NOW IN PAPERBACK
EVIDENCE AND
INQUIRY
Towards Reconstruction in Epistemology
SUSAN HAACK
"This book is at once a fine introduction and a significant contribution to
contemporary epistemology. /n addition to elaborating and persuasively defending a
position of her own which adroitly steers between the Scylla ofapriorism and the
Charybdis ofscientism, Susan Hoock discusses and makes powerful and highly
detailed criticisms ofthe views of a range of contemporary philosophers-Sir Karl
Popper, W.
V.
O. Quine, Richard Rorty, 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 of
epistemology.
It
is at once comprehensive-both in the range ofproblems that it
deals with and in the wealth ofrecent discussion that it examines--6nd judicious-in
the care with which things often 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 offashionable relativism is admirably effective.
/ was pleased to discover that
/
have, without realizing
it,
always been some kind of
foundherentisL
..
-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
"/
read Susan Haack's book with both pleasure and profit.
It
contains a uniquely
thorough critique of standard epistemological theories and ofmore recent attempts
(e.g., Rorty's) to discredit, or replace, the whole analytical enterprise. The failures of
traditional foundationalist and coherence accounts are plainly displayed and a
satisfying synthesis ofthe legitimate elements in both is achieved. The whole is done
with an exemplary clarity. "
6
X
9
272
pages
0-631-11851-9
0-631-19679-X
8figures
hardcover
paperback
BLACKWELL
Publishers
-Sir Peter Strawson, Magdalen Col/ege, Oxford
$44.95
$21.95
November 1993
December 1994
238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
CALL TOLL-FREE
(800) 488-2665
Vermont dial (802) 878·0315 (MasterCardlVisaiAmerican Express)
