Knowledge, Abilities, and ‘because’-Clauses. A Critical Appraisal of Virtue-Theoretic Analyses of Knowledge
نویسنده
چکیده
Virtue-theoretic or “aretaic” theories analyse knowledge in terms of intellectual abilities, virtues, faculties etc. possessed by the epistemic subject (rather than the other way around).1 Recent theories of this variety are persuasively advertised as marking a distinct advance in our quest to understanding what knowledge amounts to. In particular, Greco (2010, 2009) and Sosa (2009, 2007) make a compelling case arguing that their preferred aretaic accounts solve a number of “‘problems for everyone’ (...) perennial problems that any theory of knowledge must say something about” (Greco 2010, 71). Virtue-theorists of course are adamant that their accounts’ success is rooted in the fact that aretaic analyses draw on intellectual abilities etc.2 In other words, proponents of aretaic accounts take it for granted that is the virtue-aspect of their virtue-theories that explains why these arguably are successful theories of knowledge. I will take issue with this presumption. I will argue that in at least one essential dimension, it misidentifies the actual source of success of virtuetheoretic theories of knowledge, and that once we see why that is, we have reason to be rather wary of virtue-theoretic theories. My line of argument is independent of common objections to virtue-theoretic accounts (e.g. Baehr 2011, ch. 3, Cohen 2009, Greco 2010, 80–90). In fact, even if virtueepistemologists convince us that there is nothing wrong with drawing on
منابع مشابه
Favorable outcomes of using critical appraisal technique beside lecturing method for teaching theoretical sections
Introduction: We aimed to assess the outcomes of critical appraisal method beside lecturing versus lecturing method regarding theoretical sections among the student of msc of nutritional science. methods: This semi-experimental study was undertaken on 8 students of nutritional science in two semesters during 2009-2010. Some sections were taught via using critique of original articles, but oth...
متن کاملThe Impact of Implementing Critical Appraisal on EFL Teachers’ Data Analysis Knowledge
Condemning a laissez faire approach to English Language Teaching (ELT), English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher trainers unanimously agree that the building blocks of teachers’ teaching framework are profoundly influenced by conducting research. Focusing on quantitative research, this study endeavored to scrutinize the impact of the Critical Appraisal of Published Research (CAPR) in undergr...
متن کاملCritical Appraisal of the Validity and Reliability of the Quantitative Studies Published in Iranian Nursing Journals
Background: Despite progression of knowledge of nursing researcher about importance of psychometric principles of instruments of studies but it seems that this subject is not used correctly in nursing studies. This study is designed to critically assess the validity and reliability of instruments applied in studies published in Iranian nursing journals Methods: This study is a critical review o...
متن کاملA Critical Study of McIntyre’s Conception of Virtue Based on Martyr Motahhari’s Views
Given that the effects of the lack of moral sovereignty are becoming increasingly apparent in societies, and that especially developed societies in this regard are encountered with widespread challenges, discussion about moral philosophy is inevitable. Differences of opinions in moral philosophy have made the comparative comparison of different perspectives in this respect doubly important. Rel...
متن کاملEpistemic Virtue from the Viewpoints of Mulla Sadra and Zagzebski
This paper compares epistemic virtue from the viewpoints of Zagzebski and Mulla Sadra, aiming to determine the extent to which their viewpoints on epistemic virtue are similar. Zagzebski, the contemporary philosopher, considers epistemic virtue as the basis on which knowledge is interpreted. She sees epistemic virtue as a requirement for achieving knowledge. Mulla Sadra, the founder of Transcen...
متن کامل