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Epistemic Risk and the Demands of Rationality

17 August 2022

By Richard Pettigrew, Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, University of Bristol. Published by Oxford University Press.

  • Provides a novel philosophical argument for permissivism about epistemic rationality.
  • Formally explicates some of William James' ideas in 'The Will to Believe'.
  • Offers an application of the central theoretical ideas of epistemic utility theory.
  • Discusses in depth the strongest existing objections to permissivism as well as novel responses to them.
  • Explores a variety of applications of the account of epistemic permissivism, including a discussion of conspiracy theories and the morality of imposing your attitudes to risk on others.

Further information

Epistemic Risk and the Demands of Rationality | Oxford University Press

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