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E-book
Author Hautamäki, Antti.

Title Viewpoint relativism : a new approach to epistemological relativism based on the concept of points of view / Antti Hautamäki
Published Cham : Springer, 2020

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Description 1 online resource (220 pages)
Series Synthese Library ; v. 419
Synthese library ; v. 419.
Contents Preface to the English Edition -- Preface to the Finnish Edition -- Introduction -- Chapter 1. The Historical Background of Relativism -- Chapter 2. Conditions of a Philosophical Discussion -- Chapter 3. Points of View and Relativism -- Chapter 4. The Relativity of Truth -- Chapter 5. The Relativity of Knowledge -- Chapter 6. The Relativity of Reality -- Chapter 7. Relativism and Realism in the Philosophy of Science -- Chapter 8. Critical Relativism and Disagreement -- Conclusions -- Background and acknowledgements -- References
Summary This book offers new insights into truth, knowledge, and reality. It details a unique approach to epistemological relativism based on the concept of points of view. In a point of view, an aspect represents an object for a subject. By applying this concept of points of view, the author develops a consistent and adequate form of relativism, called viewpoint relativism, according to which epistemic questions like "Is X true (or justified or existing)" are viewpoint-dependent. The monograph examines central issues related to epistemological relativism. It analyzes major arguments pro and con from different opinions. The author presents the arguments of well-known philosophers. These include such thinkers as Paul Boghossian, John Dewey, Nelson Goodman, Martin Kusch, C.I. Lewis, John MacFarlane, Hilary Putnam, W.V.O. Quine, Richard Rorty, John Searle, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. In the process, the author deconstructs the standard account of correspondence theory of truth. Viewpoint relativism is a moderate relativism, which is not subjected to standard criticism of extreme relativism. This book argues that knowledge creation presupposes openness to different points of view and their comparison. It also explores the broader implications of viewpoint relativism into current debate about truth in society. The author defends a critical relativism, which accepts pluralism but is critical against all points of view. In the conclusion, he explores the relevance of viewpoint relativism to democracy by showing that the main threat of modern democratic society is not pluralism but absolutism and fundamentalism
Notes Print version record
Subject Relativity.
Knowledge, Theory of.
epistemology.
Knowledge, Theory of
Relativity
Form Electronic book
Author Mamane, Michelle
ISBN 9783030345952
3030345955
9783030345969
3030345963
9783030345976
3030345971
Other Titles Näköulmarelativismi Tiedon suhteellisuuden ongelma. English