Epistemology and the Psychology of Human Judgment

by Michael A Bishop, J. D. Trout

Overview

Bishop and Trout here present a unique and provocative new approach to epistemology (the theory of human knowledge and reasoning). Their approach aims to liberate epistemology from the scholastic debates of standard analytic epistemology, and treat it as a branch of the philosophy of science. The approach is novel in its use of cost-benefit analysis to guide people facing real reasoning problems and in its framework for resolving normative disputes in psychology. Based on empirical data, Bishop and Trout show how people can improve their reasoning by relying on Statistical Prediction Rules (SPRs). They then develop and articulate the positive core of the book. Their view, Strategic Reliabilism, claims that epistemic excellence consists in the efficient allocation of cognitive resources to reliable reasoning strategies, applied to significant problems. The last third of the book develops the implications of this view for standard analytic epistemology; for resolving normative disputes in psychology; and for offering practical, concrete advice on how this theory can improve real people's reasoning.

This is a truly distinctive and controversial work that spans many disciplines and will speak to an unusually diverse group, including people in epistemology, philosophy of science, decision theory, cognitive and clinical psychology, and ethics and public policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195162295
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	12/23/2004
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Michael Bishop is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Northern Illinois University. His work has appeared in journals such as Philosophy of Science, Noûs, American Philosophical Quarterly, Philosophical Studies, and Synthese.
J. D. Trout is Professor of Philosophy and Adjunct Professor at the Parmly Hearing Institute, Loyola University Chicago. He has authored an award-winning book, Measuring the Intentional World (Oxford 1998), and has co-authored or co-edited three other books. His work has appeared in journals such as Philosophy of Science, Noûs, Psychological Review, and Current Directions in Psychological Science.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Laying Our Cards on the Table
2. The Amazing Success of Statistical Predication Rules
3. Extracting Epistemic Lessons from Ameliorative Psychology
4. Strategic Reliabilism: Robust Reliability
5. Strategic Reliabilism: The Costs and Benefits of Excellent Judgment
6. Strategic Reliabilism: Epistemic Significance
7. The Troubles with Standard Analytic Epistemology
8. Putting Epistemology into Practice: Normative Disputes in Psychology
9. Putting Epistemology into Practice: Positive Advice
10. Conclusion
Appendix: Objections and Replies
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"I recommend this book to those interested in connections between psychology and epistemology...it is informative and written in a lively style. I certainly agree with the authors' contention that courses in critical thinking should pay more attention to the types of studies and reasoning patterns that they summarize and analyze."—Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"This book is a very well-written (and funny) excursion into genuinely naturalized epistemology with important practical consequences."—CHOICE

"Bishop and Trout have written a wonderful book. Their goal is nothing less than a radical reorientation of contemporary epistemology. Rejecting the analytic enterprise of explicating our concepts of justification and knowledge, they instead seek a return to an epistemology which would provide rules for the direction of the mind. Empirically informed and philosophically sophisticated, this is a lively and challenging book."—Hilary Kornblith, Professor of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

"This book should be read by anyone interested in the foibles and fallibility of human reasoning, and in how an empirically informed view of human knowledge and understanding may help yield not only good philosophy, but also improved policy, better thinking and greater well being."—Eldar Shafir, Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs, Princeton University

"This is a brilliant and useful essay integrating theoretical philosophy and empirical psychology to the benefit of both disciplines. It is a paradigm example of how a philosophical perspective can bring order and new insights into scientific practice. And perhaps best of all, it was fun to read."—Reid Hastie, Professor of Behavioral Science, University of Chicago

"One of the surprising critiques Bishop and Trout offer of analytic epistemology is that it is not normative enough. They argue that their thoroughly naturalistic approach to epistemology does significantly better on this score All of this material is fresh, original and exciting. It might even be right! It is a safe bet that Bishop and Trout will be recognized as two of the most interesting and innovative people working in the area where philosophy of science, epistemology and empirical psychology come together." —Stephen Stich, Board of Governors Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers University

From the Publisher