Linguistique de l’écrit

Revue internationale en libre accès

Revue | Volume | Article

235579

Epistemic instrumentalism

Matthew Lockard

pp. 1701-1718

Résumé

According to epistemic instrumentalism, epistemically rational beliefs are beliefs that are produced in ways that are conducive to certain ends that one wants to attain. In “Epistemic Rationality as Instrumental Rationality: A Critique,” Thomas Kelly advances various objections to epistemic instrumentalism. While I agree with the general thrust of Kelly’s objections, he does not distinguish between two forms of epistemic instrumentalism. Intellectualist forms maintain that epistemically rational beliefs are beliefs arrived at in compliance with rules that are conducive to epistemic ends, such as believing true propositions and not believing false propositions. Pragmatist forms maintain that rational beliefs are those that are formed, maintained, and revised in accordance with rules that are conducive to whatever ends one wants to attain. In this paper, I argue against both forms of epistemic instrumentalism and suggest that epistemic instrumentalism grows out of a mistaken conception of what it means to say that the standards of epistemic rationality are ‘normative.’

Détails de la publication

Publié dans:

(2013) Synthese 190 (9).

Pages: 1701-1718

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-011-9932-6

Citation complète:

Lockard Matthew, 2013, Epistemic instrumentalism. Synthese 190 (9), 1701-1718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-011-9932-6.