Agassi, Joseph

Philosophy from a Skeptical Perspective - New York Cambridge University 2008 - 163p

includes index and biblioraphy

1 Introduction
The Practical Side of Philosophy
The History of Epistemology
Error Avoidance and the Foundations of Knowledge
A Word about Metaphysics
2 Skepticism
The Strange Story of the Idea of Error Avoidance
Radical Skepticism
The Case of Mathematics and Logic
The Skeptical Arguments
Skepticism in Epistemology
Practical Implications
3 Science
The Critique of Empiricism
The Probability Theory of Rational Beliefs
The Minimum Unexpectedness Hypothesis on Beliefs
More on the Paradoxes of Empiricism
Theories Adjusted Ad Hoc
Simplicity and Occam`s Razor
Predictions and Explanations
Tradition
Applications
4 Ethics
Skepticism in Ethics
Toward a Psychological Theory of Moral Judgments
Maximizing the Welfare of Humanity
Liberalism as the Default Option
Utilitarian versus Kantian Ethics
Sympathy
Moral Disputes
More Against Reductionism in Ethics
5 Politics
The Justification of Sovereignty
Toward a Psychological Theory of the Morality of Politics
The Fear of Social Disorders
Political Disputes
The Dissolution of the Nation-State
Democracy versus Dictatorship
6 Aesthetics
Skepticism in Aesthetics
Aesthetics and Beauty
Toward a Psychological Theory of Beauty
The Evolution of Art
Non-Beautiful Art
Beauty and Pleasure
Tragedy
Repetitions (i)
Repetitions (2)
Pretty Average Faces
Humor
Non-Reductionism and Non-Relativism
Aesthetic Disputes
7 Conclusion The Next Step Psychology The Meaning of Life


9780521726399 1438

N18 / AG160