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Epistemology

University at Albany, State University of New York

Epistemology

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Cautious Realism And Middle Range Ontology, P.D. Magnus Nov 2018

Cautious Realism And Middle Range Ontology, P.D. Magnus

Philosophy Faculty Scholarship

Anjan Chakravartty's book Scientific Ontology is centrally about how metaphysics is embrangled with epistemology. I begin by discussing the broader literature in science and values, where arguments akin to Chakravartty's have been much-discussed. Then I talk about my own preferred approach, middle range ontology, which does not fit neatly into any of the three stances Chakravartty discusses. Finally, I use these considerations to pose a dilemma.


Epistemology And The Wikipedia, P.D. Magnus Aug 2006

Epistemology And The Wikipedia, P.D. Magnus

Philosophy Faculty Scholarship

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that is written and edited entirely by visitors to its website. I argue that we are misled when we think of it in the same epistemic category with traditional general encyclopedias. An empirical assessment of its reliability reveals that it varies widely from topic to topic. So any particular claim found in it cannot be relied on based on its source. I survey some methods that we use in assessing specific claims and argue that the structure of the Wikipedia frustrates them