The Transmission of KnowledgeHow do we transmit or distribute knowledge, as distinct from generating or producing it? In this book John Greco examines the interpersonal relations and social structures which enable and inhibit the sharing of knowledge within and across epistemic communities. Drawing on resources from moral theory, the philosophy of language, action theory and the cognitive sciences, he considers the role of interpersonal trust in transmitting knowledge, and argues that sharing knowledge involves a kind of shared agency similar to giving a gift or passing a ball. He also explains why transmitting knowledge is easy in some social contexts, such as those involving friendship or caregiving, but impossible in contexts characterized by suspicion and competition rather than by trust and cooperation. His book explores phenomena that have been undertheorized by traditional epistemology, and throws new light on existing problems in social epistemology and the epistemology of testimony. |
Contents
Testimonial Knowledge | 25 |
Joint Agency and the Role of Trust in Testimonial | 47 |
Social Norms and Social Sensibilities | 68 |
A Unified Account of Generation and Transmission | 87 |
Common Knowledge | 103 |
Education and the Transmission of Understanding | 126 |
Reductionism and Big Science | 145 |
Social Religious Epistemology | 161 |
The Garbage Problem | 185 |
| 200 | |
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Common terms and phrases
abilities achievement action allows anti-reductionism approach argue argument attributable belief Chapter characterized claim cognitive coming to know competent concerns condition consider context dependence distinctive distribution edge environment epistemic epistemic dependence epistemology essential evidence example explain fact Finally follows formulation framework function garbage give governing hearer hinge commitments idea important individual inductive intention interesting involves issues joint agency kind knowl knowledge transmission least nature objection Oxford particular perceptual person Philosophical plausible position practical premise present problem propositions question reasoning reduced reductionism regarding relations relevant reliable religious requires response result role scientific knowledge sense shared skeptical social norms speaker Specifically standards success suggested suppose task telling testimonial exchanges testimonial knowledge theoretical theory things tion traditional transmission of knowledge transmitted knowledge true belief trust understanding understood University Press various virtue