By James Van Cleve (NHC Fellow, 1990–91; 2011–12) James Van Cleve here shows why Thomas Reid (1710-96) deserves a place alongside the other canonical figures of modern philosophy. He expounds Reid's positions and arguments on a wide range of topics, taking interpretive stands on points where his meaning is disputed and assessing the value of … Continued
By Edward F. McClennen (NHC Fellow, 1986–87) In this major contribution to the theory of rational choice the author sets out the foundations of rational choice, and then sketches a dynamic choice framework in which principles of ordering and independence follow from a number of apparently plausible conditions. However there is potential conflict among these … Continued
Edited by Louise M. Antony (NHC Fellow, 1989–90) and Charlotte Witt A book of tremendous influence when it first appeared, A Mind of One's Own reminded readers that the tradition of Western philosophy– in particular, the ideals of reason and objectivity– has come down to us from white males, nearly all of whom are demonstrably … Continued
By Sally Haslanger (NHC Fellow, 1995–96)
Edited by Aretha Phiri (NHC Fellow, 2018–19) Recognizing philosophy’s traditional influence on—and literature’s creative stimulus for—sociopolitical discourses, imaginations, and structures, African Philosophical and Literary Possibilities: Re-reading the Canon, edited by Aretha Phiri, probes the cross-referential, interdisciplinary relationships between African literature and African philosophy. The contributors write within the broader context of renewed interest in and … Continued
By Ronald N. Giere (NHC Fellow, 1997–98) Debate over the nature of science has recently moved from the halls of academia into the public sphere, where it has taken shape as the "science wars." At issue is the question of whether scientific knowledge is objective and universal or socially mediated, whether scientific truths are independent … Continued
By Pavlos Kontos (NHC Fellow, 2017–18) This book offers a new account of Aristotle’s practical philosophy. Pavlos Kontos argues that Aristotle does not restrict practical reason to its action-guiding and motivational role; rather, practical reason remains practical in the full sense of the term even when its exercise does not immediately concern the guidance of … Continued
By Ronald N. Giere (NHC Fellow, 1997–98) Many people assume that the claims of scientists are objective truths. But historians, sociologists, and philosophers of science have long argued that scientific claims reflect the particular historical, cultural, and social context in which those claims were made. The nature of scientific knowledge is not absolute because it … Continued
Edited by Brad Inwood (NHC Fellow, 1995–96) and Jaap Mansfeld Cicero's philosophical works are a rich source for the understanding of Hellenistic philosophy, and hisAcademic Books are of critical importance for the study of ancient epistemology, especially the central debate between the Academic sceptics and the Stoics. This volume makes Cicero's challenging work accessible to philosophers … Continued
By Christopher S. Hill (NHC Fellow, 1987–88) This is a book about sensory states and their apparent characteristics. It confronts a whole series of metaphysical and epistemological questions and presents an argument for type materialism: the view that sensory states are identical with the neural states with which they are correlated. According to type materialism, … Continued